Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 148 - The "Mooooooose" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football: The Big Ten Conference has passed a rule that stops players returning from the NFL from playing for one of its schools: Any player who has declared for the NFL draft and did not withdraw, appeared on an NFL roster or signed a contract with a pro league cannot be on a Big Ten roster, the league announced Tuesday in a statement: The Big Ten's ADs unanimously approved the rule, which then received unanimous approval later Tuesday from the conference's faculty athletic representatives, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel — **NOTE: Any teams in violation of the rule would be subject to its HC being suspended for 50% of its remaining games plus an undisclosed fine, the Big Ten confirmed - - The Big Ten's ruling comes in the wake of two NFL players - Cleveland Browns TE Dae'Quan Wright and the New Orleans Saints' Zxavian Harris - parting with their respective teams to join Lane Kiffin's roster at LSU — Wright and Harris, who both played for Kiffin at Ole Miss, are returning to college football thanks to a court order that is creating havoc throughout the NCAA by allowing athletes an unexpected fifth year of eligibility - - **NOTE: The SEC Conference - as well as the Big 12 and ACC Conference(s) - also approved a similar ban later this week on players who have declared or appeared on a professional league roster — The NCAA said in a statement that court rulings that grant athletes a fifth-year of eligibility are having a "destabilizing effect" on college sports, meanwhile, LSU HC Lane Kiffin doubled down, defending the program's unprecedented moves on Monday, saying players are "either going to play for you or they're going to play for someone else around the country." . . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Big Ten's unanimous approval of the rule barring NFL players from returning to college competition?. .Hours after the Big Ten passed the rule stopping players returning from the NFL from playing for one of its' programs, the SEC followed suit - - At the conclusion of meetings with league presidents, chancellors and ADs Tuesday, the Conference announced a strict policy on the matter, releasing details across its social media channels - as sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel that the vote to implement the policy was 16-0: With a step-by-step explanation, the SEC announced that its' institutions are "not permitted to have an athlete on its roster who has: (1) Previously declared for the NFL, NBA, or WNBA draft, and did not appropriately withdraw; (2) Signed a contract with an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League, or WNBA (or affiliate) team, or. . .(3) Been listed on an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League, or WNBA (or affiliate) roster." -- The announcement concluded with annotation that commissioner Greg Sankey "is authorized to enforce this expectation with penalties against member institutions." - - An SEC spokesperson later told ESPN's Heather Dinich that penalties are "to be announced." - - But where the Big Ten earlier in the day announced its policy for football, saying in its statement that any player who has declared for the NFL draft and didn't withdraw, appeared on an NFL roster or signed a contract with a pro league may not be on a Big Ten roster, the SEC added pro basketball, including the NBA and the WNBA, to its policy -- The SEC and Big Ten do not appear to be along in these beliefs: The Big 12 as well as the ACC Conference(s) also held meetings that resulted in a similar conclusion regarding the return of NFL players to the collegiate level - - Then, on Thursday, a Dallas judge signed an order that prohibits the NCAA, the SEC and its commissioner Greg Sankey from stopping a group of athletes - three (3) of whom are currently listed on NFL rosters - from returning to college sports for one more season of play. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the state of college football with the legitimate possibility that players who were previously on NFL rosters receiving a fifth year of college eligibility?. . ."Should They Have Gone to Jared?:" Vanderbilt senior Blaze Berlowitz will be the starting QB in the Commodores' Week 1 matchup with Austin Peay, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel on Tuesday: The move follows an extended position battle across spring and fall camp between Berlowitz and five-star freshman Jared Curtis, who is the highest-rated signee in program history and is also expected to play in Vanderbilt's Sept. 5 season opener, the first of three (3) nonconference games on the Commodores' schedule, which also includes September visits from Delaware and NC State - - Berlowitz, a dual-threat passer from Cushing, Oklahoma, is in his third season at Vanderbilt - as he began his career at New Mexico State before following eventual Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia and OC Tim Beck to the Commodores before the 2024 season - - While Berlowitz has been named the Commodores' starter for Week 1, the occasion should also be the stage of Curtis' college debut: The 6-foot-3, 230-pound QB from Nashville signed late last fall as ESPN's No.1 pocket passer and No.12 overall prospect in the 2026 cycle, and arrived in January as the most coveted recruit in school history. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Vanderbilt's decision to tab Blaze Berlowitz as the Commodores' starting QB for the 2026-27 season? Are you somewhat surprised that Berlowitz got the nod over five-star freshman QB Jared Curtis?. . ."One Man, One Drive:" Marty Whims II's phone rang Tuesday - and on the other end of the call was University of Akron AD Andrew Goodrich offering Whims the opportunity of a lifetime on the football team's sideline: When Akron hosts Robert Morris for its Sept. 12 home opener, the Zips plan to turn offensive playcalling duties over - somewhat - to the Executive from a Cleveland-based real estate firm - - Weeks after the school launched its' viral "Offensive Coordinator of the Game" promotion, Akron announced Whims as the contest winner, thrusting the alumnus and longtime season-ticket holder into the role of assisting Zips HC Joe Moorhead script plays during the opening offensive series of the Week 2 matchup: "It's super cool," Whims said in a video released by Akron Football's social media account. "My boss shared it on LinkedIn, so business contacts are reaching out, friends, family. I mean, everybody's just super excited about it, wishing me good luck. It's been awesome." -- An alumnus of Akron's College of Business and the chief financial officer at Stark Enterprises, Whims has held Zips season tickets since at least 2009 - - Akron generated national attention earlier this month when the school announced the raffle offering season-ticket holders the chance to call plays alongside Moorhead: The promotion not only generated buzz but also reportedly produced record-setting sales of season tickets and stadium suites -- According to Akron, the Zips have fully sold out their inventory of 17 suites at InfoCision Stadium for the first time since it opened in 2009 - - Such an uptick in revenue was at least part of the campaign's mission - as the senior deputy AD at Akron, Matt Pottorff, told The Beacon Journal that the school intends to allocate 70% of all ticket sales across all sports towards the Zips' NIL and revenue-share programs - - Naturally, the opportunity to call plays for an FBS football team attracted interest well beyond NE Ohio, as the Zips' initial social media post announcing the contest on Aug. 4, has generated more than 23 million views as of Tuesday evening, and the school has seen ticket purchases from coast to coast: Among Akron's most prominent new season-ticket holders is ESPN's Pat McAfee. .So, how did the promotion work?: According to Akron, all season-ticket holders were automatically entered into a random drawing - and on Aug. 19, the school announced nine (9) finalists spanning five (5) states, a group that included longtime local fans such as Whims, seemingly unaffiliated newcomers based in Nebraska, New York, New Jersey and Texas, as well as pair of prominent social media figures: Dan "Big Cat" Katz of Barstool Sports and YouTube streamer James Bordeaux, whose channel centered on the EA Sports College Football video game, which has nearly 600k subscribers - - Whims will also be helping Moorhead break in a new QB: Transfer Reese Poffenbarger, who joined the Zips this offseason after stops at Old Dominion, Albany, Miami and North Texas, is set to lead the program's offense this fall -- Whims will also be operating in seasoned company alongside Moorhead, the veteran playcaller who stewarded an Akron offense that ranked fifth in the MAC Conference in yards per game (353.5) last season. . .Q: In the first offensive drive for the Akron Zips in their season opener versus Robert Morris, what set of plays do you think Marty Whims II calls on the opening drive?. . .**Name That Starting QB: In this next segment, JD & Spencer discuss and analyze the starting QB(s) that have been recently announced across the college football landscape, including the following programs: Alabama, Nebraska, Tennessee, and Florida. . .

- Aer Lingus College Football Classic [Dublin, Ireland]: North Carolina vs. TCU (-7.5) O/U47.5

- No.14 USC (-38.5) vs. San Jose State O/U60.5

- NC State vs. Virginia (-5.5) O/U53.5

- Jacksonville State vs. North Dakota State (-7) O/U46.5

- Sacramento State vs. Eastern Michigan (-10) O/U52.5

- Hawaii vs. Stanford (-4) O/U48.5

- New Mexico State vs. Florida State (-30.5) O/U52.5

- Memphis vs. UNLV (-4.5) O/U56.5

- NFL - - "An NFL Study:" At least one in four (4) NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had the degenerative brain disease known as CTE, a new study has revealed: The study, published Tuesday by the British Medical Journal, focused on how common chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) might be among NFL players -- **NOTE: What it found is that of the 878 players who appeared in at least one NFL game and died in that six-year period, at least 25% had CTE - - CTE can only be diagnosed after death, so most research has depended on brains donated by players or their families - as this study drew on samples donated between 2008 and 2021, 93% of which had been diagnosed with CTE, then narrowed the sample based on donations were highest and factored in demographic data and information from death certificates: The estimate of 25% is on the "low end," said Dr. Daniel Daneshvar, the study's lead author - as the study found that the maximum possible prevalence of CTE was around 97%, but the true rate "is somewhere in the middle." Daneshvar said - - The study also looked at the link between CTE and dementia, finding that >90% of samples of the most advanced stage of CTE, Stage 4, were also diagnosed with dementia -- Daneshvar noted that since the biggest predictor of CTE is the cumulative force of hits to the head, that risk can be mitigated by things such as eliminating hits during practices and having children not play tackle football. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the results/findings of this particular research study?. . ."The San Francisco $149ers?:" San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York pleaded no contest to a pair of misdemeanor charges Monday after being arrested in Ohio on suspicion of engaging in prostitution -- According to Columbiana County (Ohio) court records obtained by ESPN, York allegedly responded to an undercover ad on a known prostitution website and "arranged to have sexual activity with the female in exchange for $140." - - York was arrested upon arriving at the meeting location with the cell phone used to arrange the meeting, according to the records: An arrest report filed by the East Palestine Police Department notes York was arrested Sunday at 9:35 a.m. at the Wheat Mill Mobile Home Community - as East Palestine police assisted the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force in York's arrest, per the report - - Authorities initially charged York with misdemeanor counts of engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools - but the former charge was amended to misdemeanor disorderly conduct as part of a plea agreement resolving the case - - The NFL said in a statement that the league is "aware of the matter which will be reviewed under the personal conduct policy." - - Court records say the local prosecutor filed a plea arrangement Monday morning as York pleaded no contest and paid $1,150 in fines - as York was also sentenced to one day in jail for each charge, with one day already considered to be served - - Despite the reports of infidelity, York actually filed for divorce from his wife, Danielle, in May, according to documents filed in Santa Clara County (California) Superior Court - - York has been the majority owner of the Niners since 2024 but has been the team's chief executive officer since 2008 - and he is originally from Youngstown, Ohio: **NOTE: The Niners have made the Super Bowl three (3) times under York's leadership, losing in the 2012 season under HC Jim Harbaugh and in the 2019 and 2013 seasons under Kyle Shanahan & GM John Lynch -- York also oversaw the building of Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara - as the team moved from San Francisco to the new stadium in 2014: **NOTE: The stadium has hosted two Super Bowls, a World Cup and a College Football Playoff title game. . .Deshaun Watson will open the NFL regular season as the Cleveland Browns' starting QB, per HC Todd Monken who made the announcement on Monday - - And in his first news conference as the Browns' starter, Watson apologized for his postgame comments Saturday in which he called Browns' fans "disrespectful" for booing him - - Watson, 30, won a competition with second-year player Shedeur Sanders that began in the offseason workout program and stretched into the first two preseason games - and as of now, Sanders will officially be Watson's backup - - Monken said the decision to start Watson will not be a "week-to-week" proposition - as the Browns face the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road in Week 1: The decision comes despite Watson's struggles in the second preseason game Saturday, during which he completed 5-of-12 for 35 yards and one INT over four (4) second-half drives - as the seats at Huntington Bank Field were half full, but the boos were pronounced when Watson took the field at the beginning of the second half and as he struggled -- On Monday, Watson opened his news conference with a two-minute statement in which he apologized for his postgame comments: "I think my emotions got the best of me. My comments wasn't intending to go at any of the fans around in the city, because there's been a lot of great fans that have been supporting me. And I know the frustration. This organization has put a lot of investment in coming to get me back in 2022, and things haven't been going the right direction that we thought it was. A lot of injuries, a lot of time off, and not putting the best football and my foot forward. I understand the frustration. I understand everything that kind of goes into that. And moving forward, I just want to focus on football, making sure that I'm putting the best product out there, having the best ability, because I thrive off the energy. I thrive off the energy of the fans. I thrive off the energy of the community. I thrive off all that stuff." - - The Browns' first two games of the 2026 regular season are on the road - at Jacksonville and then at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - before the team returns home to face the Carolina Panthers in Week 3 - - Watson has been a polarizing figure in Cleveland since the Browns traded three (3) first-round picks to the Houston Texans to acquire him in March 2022 and gave him a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions, however, two Texas grand juries declined to pursue criminal charges against Watson a week prior to his trade to Cleveland, but he served an 11-game suspension to begin his tenure with the Browns - as he also paid a $5 million fine and completed a treatment program after the NFL and NFL Players Association reached a settlement in August 2022 on his disciplinary matter: Since joining the Browns, Watson has failed to recapture the Pro Bowl form he showcased in Houston, posting a 33.1 QBR that would rank last if he had enough starts to qualify -- **NOTE: Watson has a 9-10 record as the Browns' starting QB, and his past two seasons as the starter have ended due to injury: In 2023, Watson underwent season-ending surgery following a displaced fracture to the glenoid muscle in his right throwing shoulder - as the injury forced Watson to miss the final nine (9) games of that season, including the team's AFC wild-card loss to the Texans -- Watson did not play in the 2025 season after undergoing two surgeries to address a torn right Achilles tendon he sustained in October 2024 - - The Browns also have second-year QB Dillon Gabriel and 2026 sixth-round pick Taylen Green (Arkansas) on the roster - as Monken elected to not play his starters in Thursday's preseason finale at home against the New England Patriots. . ."An Axing of the Pro Bowl:" The NFL is eliminating the Pro Bowl Games, instead shifting the focus to celebrating the honor of being a Pro Bowl selection -- **NOTE: Beginning with the 2026 season, 88 players will be named to the Pro Bowl class in late December, with no replacement selections - - While no AFC vs. NFC game will be held, players selected as Pro Bowlers will be invited to attend an in-person celebration in Los Angeles during the traditional weekend the Pro Bowl Games took place -- **NOTE: The NFL has played a traditional Pro Bowl game in some fashion since 1938 - excluding in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic - replacing the traditional tackle football game with the reimagined Pro Bowl Games, featuring dodgeball, throwing competitions and skills challenges & culminating in a flag football game in 2023. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the NFL's decision to eliminate the Pro Bowl Games?. . .

- WNBA & NBA - - "BANNED:" The Chicago Sky have banned Enes Kanter Freedom from Wintrust Arena after the former NBA player was removed from the building by security Sunday - - Kanter Freedom was involved in a verbal altercation with Sky PG Natasha Cloud late in the 3rd QTR of a loss against the Indiana Fever - as he was sitting courtside in a black T-shirt that read: "WOMAN noun. Adult human female." -- When a timeout was called, Cloud walked toward Kanter Freedom and shouted at him - meanwhile, he was standing with his arms outstretched and took a few steps toward the court before security cut him off and directed him to leave - - Kanter Freedom has inserted himself in the political realm in recent years and has been vocal in the national debate sparked by Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's comments regarding transgender athletes -- He and former NBA player Royce White recently declared themselves women, and thus eligible to play in the WNBA - however, multiple sources told ESPN that the two are not eligible to play in the league -- After being removed, Kanter Freedom posted the following statement on social media: "I just got kicked out of a @WNBA game for supporting WOMEN! Let that sink in, AMERICA!". . .Klay Thompson has signed a deal with the Miami Heat, who waited patiently for weeks to see if they would get the chance to add the sharpshooter to their reworked roster -- Thompson - who is No.4 on the NBA's all-time 3-pointers made list - cleared waivers with the Dallas Mavericks Sunday afternoon and wasted little time finalizing a two-year deal with Miami: The contract, first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania last Friday, is reportedly for $13 million and includes a player option in the second season, sources said - - Thompson, a 36-year-old about to enter his 14th NBA season, is an ideal fit for a Heat team that desperately needed to add a solid shooter to surround the newly acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo and incumbent center Bam Adebayo -- **NOTE: Thompson is a career 41% shooter from beyond the arc, and last season marked the 11th time that he's made more than 200 3-pointers in a season - and for further context, in the history of the NBA franchise, they have had a player make 200 3s in a single year only seven (7) times - - **NOTE: Thompson, a five-time NBA All-Star, holds the league record with 14 made 3s in a game, has connected on at least 10 3s in a game nine (9) times and will enter this upcoming NBA season just 74 3-pointers behind former Heat sharpshooter, Ray Allen, for third place on the league's all-time list. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the overall fit of Klay Thompson in Miami alongside the "Greek Freak" & Bam Adebayo?. . .

- Tradition's Finest 2026 College Football Season Preview & Prediction Showcase Finale -- Awards & Preseason College Football Playoff Predictions: In the final week of the annual 'Tradition's Finest 2026 College Football Season Preview & Prediction Showcase,' JD & Spencer each provide their individual/independent predictions for a few of the 2026-27 College Football Awards; they also provide a preview of the 2026-27 College Football Playoff as well as their preseason picks for the 12-team bracket, with a bit of a fun twist: they cannot select the same team(s):

College football's biggest stars enter the 2026 season with a chance to take home some of the sport's most prestigious individual awards - and in this segment, JD & Spencer provide their predictions for the following individual awards for the upcoming 2026-27 NCAA College Football season: **Be Sure to Tune In for their Award/CFP Picks & Predictions! . . .

- Doak Walker Award [Best RB]: ______________________

- Biletnikoff Award [Best WR]: ________________________

- John Mackey Award [Best TE]: _______________________

- Jim Thorpe Award [Best DB]: _________________________

- Bednarik Award [Best Defensive Player]: ______________________

- Home Depot Coach of the Year Award [Best HC]: _____________________________

- Walter Camp Award [Player of the Year Award]: ______________________________

- Heisman Trophy [Most Outstanding Player]: ______________________________

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 147 - "The Tommy G Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football: "A TRO Against the NCAA:" Former LSU EDGE Jack Pyburn is among the 16 players who were granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the NCAA on Thursday, returning for the 2026-27 college football season with a fifth year of eligibility: Pyburn is currently on the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp roster and recently posted two sacks in their most recent preseason game - - The list of players also includes former Ole Miss DL Xzavian Harris, Ole Miss safety Wydett Williams, Ole Miss TE Dae'Quan Wright, James Madison LB Trent Hendrick, Oregon State RB Anthony Hankerson, Notre Dame DL Junior Tuihalamaka, South Carolina safety DQ Smith and SMU RB TJ Harden - - Per the signed order in Louisiana, the 16 college football players will be allowed to enter the NCAA transfer portal - as the NCAA's rule of restitution and the ghost transfer rule are also enjoined: "The NCAA is ordered to open the transfer portal. . .for one week from entry of this order," the TRO states - - Players currently on NFL rosters have expressed an interest in being released from their NFL contracts, according to attorney Ryan Downton, and NFL teams that release them by September 1 would be allowed to join a college football roster under the TRO: **UPDATE: Per On3, former Seahawks RB TJ Harden, who played college ball at SMU and UCLA, announced his plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal on Thursday afternoon. . .Q: What are your thoughts on these 16 former college football players, who are currently active on NFL rosters, being granted a TRO against the NCAA and a fifth year of eligibility? - - SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said allowing athletes who have signed professional contracts back into college sports “fuels disruption” and should not be allowed, according to an affidavit filed in a Louisiana courthouse last week: Sankey asked Judge Ronald Johnson in East Baton Rouge Parish court to uphold NCAA rules that prevent athletes from returning, saying the decision is “essential to the integrity of college sports.” He wrote that allowing pros back into NCAA competition would undermine the “fundamental principles” of college sports and unfairly harm high school students looking to join a college team as well as other teams that have followed the existing rules - - The affidavit was in response to a lawsuit filed by former St. John's men's basketball star LJ Ruis, the 2024-25 Big East Player of the Year - as he has since committed to LSU in hopes of playing one more season of college basketball - - The affidavit puts Sankey on the opposing end of a legal argument supported by a school in his conference. . .Q: Where do you stand on the principle and/or ruling allowing athletes who have signed professional contracts back into college sports?. .

- NBA - - “The Buss Has Left Town:” Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss is contesting her siblings' “united” vote to sell the remaining 17.8% of the Lakers, according to a letter from her lawyer that was obtained by ESPN - - The Buss family in a statement earlier Monday said they had voted to sell their remaining shares to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger at the same $12.5 billion valuation that Mark Walter agreed to last week — They believed they had the right to sell based on a tag-along provision that had been included in the previous sale to Walter in June 2025 — Sources told ESPN that provision gave the family rights to tag along to any sale and valuation Walter secured for his shares - - Jeanie Buss was to remain the team's controlling owner through 2030, according to the agreement she made with Walter - - Iger told the California Post last week that he intended to honor that agreement with Buss, but added “if something changes, then it changes.” — Should the sale of the family's stake go through, Jeanie Buss would no longer have the needed ownership percentage to remain governor of the team's - as a spokesperson for Kushner and Iger declined to comment on the situation when reached by ESPN — In response to the Buss' family statement, Jeanie's lawyer Adam Streisand wrote to the five (5) siblings who voted to sell that a court had ruled in 2017 that no sale could be “effectuated without approval by the co-trustees, Jeanie, Janie and Joey Buss.” — Streisand also wrote that the “co-trustees are bound to vote to ensure that the minimum 15% ownership requirement is maintained in order to ensure that Jeanie Buss may remain Controlling Owner. Any attempt by the co-trustees to aid or abet the co-trustees as such, would constitute a breach of trust, a breach of fiduciary duty and be in contempt of court.” — Streisand demanded that the five (5) siblings “make clear that Jeanie Buss is the Controlling Owner of the Los Angeles Lakers” and “take no action on this supposed vote to sell the 17.8 percent stake.” - - The Buss family had ownership of the Lakers since Jerry Buss purchased the team from Jack Kent Cooke in May 1979 — Under the leadership of Buss and then his children after his death, the Lakers won 11 NBA championships - most recently in 2020 — **NOTE: The Lakers' 2,289 wins since the start of the 1979-80 season are the most of any franchise in that span - - More than a dozen different Hall of Famers played for the Lakers during the Buss' family's ownership, and multiple Hall of Fame coaches patrolled sidelines, first at the Great Western Forum, then at Crypto.com Arena [formerly the Staples Center], which opened in 1999. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Buss family voting to sell the remaining shares to Kushner & Iger? Do you think Jeanie Buss will be able to “veto” her siblings' final vote to sell the franchise?. . .

- NFL - - The New York Giants have signed free agent RB Najee Harris to a one-year deal, the team announced Tuesday - - Harris worked out for the Giants on Monday - as HC John Harbaugh liked what he saw and heard despite the veteran coming off a torn Achilles last year – Harris knows he's not quite in game shape but said he's “ready to get back” following last year's season-ending injury - - Harris, 28, played in just three (3) games last season for the Los Angeles Chargers and Jim Harbaugh, John's brother - as Harris rushed for just 61 yards on 15 carries prior to the injury – **NOTE: Harris had rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of the previous four (4) seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers - and John Harbaugh, who coached the Baltimore Ravens for the previous 18 seasons, knows him well from their days in AFC North - - The addition of Harris comes after the Giants waived RB Dante Miller with an injury designation - as Miller hurt his groin in the preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings and is expected to miss time - - In a corresponding move, the Giants released veteran WR JuJu Smith-Schuster - - Harris joins a backfield that has Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. at the top of the depth chart - - The Giants also have veteran Devin Singletary in the mix along with Eric Gray and undrafted rookie Damon Bankston - - Harris was a first-round pick (No. 24) in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Alabama, and he made the Pro Bowl as a rookie. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the overall fit of Najee Harris with the New York Giants?. . .The Texans' WR corps took a big hit Wednesday as wideout Jayden Higgins suffered a torn ACL, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport - - The season-ending injury occurred Tuesday during the Texans' joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders when the 2025 second-round pick ran a route in the end zone and fell awkwardly during red zone 11-on-11 drills — Higgins couldn't get back up immediately, but he eventually limped off on his own power - as HC DeMeco Ryans said after the practice that they were evaluating the severity of the injury — Higgins, who was off to a strong start to training camp, had 525 receiving yards and six (6) TDs during his rookie season - - Houston now will rely on the next batch of WRs led by Xavier Hutchinson, Tank Dell and Jaylin Noel: Hutchinson, a sixth-round pick in 2023, posted career highs last season with 35 receptions for 428 yards and three (3) TD - - Dell and Noel haven't practiced much throughout training camp as both work their way back from injuries: Dell is coming back from a serious knee injury from December 2024 that held him out all of 2025, and Noel, meanwhile, has dealt with a broken finger and hamstring tightness throughout camp. . .Q: Where does this leave the Texans following the loss of WR Jayden Higgins?. . .Former Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl CB Trevon Diggs plans to sign a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday - - The move addresses one of Seattle's biggest question marks and offers Diggs a chance for a fresh start with the reigning Super Bowl champions after a tumultuous ending to his tenure in Dallas last season - - Per multiple reports, the Seahawks still to plan to sign CB Terrion Arnold, but with no word on when he will be available to play amid his ongoing legal case - as Diggs gives them more immediate help at the position – Meanwhile, Noah Igbinoghene and Nehemiah Pritchett are vying to replace Riq Woolen as the No.3 CB and rookie third-pick Julian Neal has been unable to join that battle because he has missed much of training camp with an undisclosed injury - - A second-round pick in 2020, Diggs was named first-team All-Pro and selected to the Pro Bowl in 2021 after setting a Cowboys record with 11 INTs - and he also made the Pro Bowl in 2022, then signed a five-year, $97 million contract extension before the 2023 season: But he has appeared in only 22 games over the past three (3) seasons while dealing with injuries to both knees: Diggs tore his left ACL in practice in 2023 and missed six (6) games in 2024 due to an injury to the same knee that required a chondral graft – Last season, he missed eight (8) games with a right knee injury and suffered a concussion during an accident at home, later saying it occurred while he was attempting to install a television mount - - According to ESPN's Todd Archer, the Cowboys took issue with Diggs' decision to rehab away from the team's facility in consecutive years - as Dallas enforced a $500,000 base salary de-escalator in 2025 after he did not take part in 84% of the team's voluntary offseason program, choosing instead to rehab in South Florida. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the overall fit of CB Trevon Diggs with the Seattle Seahawks?. . .

- MLB - - Cardinals OF Joshua Baez smashed the first pitch he saw in the majors about 450 feet then flashed a grin to the St. Louis dugout as he began his HR trot - - **NOTE: Baez, 23, became the first player to hit a HR in each of his first three (3) at-bats in the majors, leading St. Louis to an 8-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday – Called up from Triple-A Memphis before the game, Baez had 30 family members in attendance at Wrigley Field - as the traveling party, which included his mother, Yris, gathered on the field for photos afterward despite rain: “It's just unreal,” said Baez, the fourth-ranked prospect in the Cardinals' system and No.93 overall, according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel. “To not only get a hit but three home runs? It's crazy.” - and he did it with flair too - - The first came on the first pitch he saw from Matthew Boyd and landed an estimated 449 feet away in the left-center bleachers, which was the third-longest HR in a player's MLB debut since ESPN began tracking HR distances in 2006 – **NOTE: Only Jason Heyward (476 feet) in 2010 and Aaron Judge (457 feet) in 2016 had longer shots – Baez's next at-bat ended with a solo shot down the left-field line, and the third, on his ensuing at-bat, went the opposite way, giving him five (5) RBIs - - Baez showed plenty of power in the minors this season - as when he was called up, he was leading Triple-A with 34 HRs, including four (4) multi-homer games – **NOTE: He is the ninth player to make his major league debut for the Cardinals this season. . .

- Miscellaneous - - “A Penn State White-Out:” A Long Island kid who grew up in a spacious $1.4 million Westbury manse was one of the alleged ringleaders of a lucrative cocaine ring run out of a pair of Penn State University frat houses, authorities said - - Agostino Abbatiello, aka “Pablo Plegescobar,” 24, surrendered to Pennsylvania prosecutors Tuesday morning to face charges of possession with intent to deliver cocaine and conspiracy after being busted for allegedly peddling drugs through the frats – The Nassau County native - who was at the “very top of the chain” in the crime ring, according to prosecutors - had failed to show up for a Monday arraignment and is now being held without bail – Abbatielo allegedly ran the ring along with Thomas Robinson, the son of prominent Pittsburgh attorney Paul Robinson, who was also implicated in the ring and hit with felony charges of concealing evidence – The elder Robinson, a former frat brother who was a member of Delta Sigma Phi and Phi Alpha Delta while in college and law school, is a managing partner with Meyer, Darragh, Buckler, Bebenek & Eck – Both accused ringleaders graduated two years ago, but continued to deal even after leaving the frat house, according to prosecutors: Abbatiello was described as an accounting major on the dean's list with a “passion for numbers and financial storytelling,” according to now-deleted pages on the Penn State site - - Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson - of Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternities, respectively - were allegedly the main suppliers in the scheme, with Abbatiello frequently traveling to Philadelphia and New York to pick up large quantities of cocaine from suppliers between 2023 and 2024 - - When an undercover cop busted Robinson, the alleged dealer told authorities Abbatiello sold him batches of cocaine of up to one kilogram - well over two pounds - for as much as $22,000, a criminal complaint claims: Abbatiello allegedly distributed cocaine as recently as February 2026, according to the complaint - - Two other frat members have been charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and related offenses, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office said: **NOTE: More than a dozen Penn State fraternity bros were busted for running the ring that forced young pledges to cut and bag the drugs then sold to students, according to prosecutors - as the fraternities, Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon, allegedly coordinated with suppliers in New York and Philadelphia, trafficking in the cocaine and distributing it mainly to Penn State students - - When he learned law enforcement was interviewing individuals about Penn State drug dealing, he reportedly “begged them not to talk about his involvement.” - - Abbatiello's dad, Mario Abbatiello, told The New York Post Tuesday: “We have no comment. We have nothing to do with this. We have no comment.” - - A second Long Islander - Robert Zanolla, 24, of Manhasset - is also charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility - - Also charged, with misdemeanors, are: Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price, and Charles Wiseman - - Paul Robinson, Thomas' father, is charged with felony tampering, hindering apprehension for taking steps to conceal evidence in the case, including a safe stuffed with cash and drugs and obstructing the investigation, federal prosecutors said - - Penn State has since suspended Delta Upsilon while it investigates the frat and said Sigma Chi is not recognized by the university and operates outside its supervision: “We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students,” said Andrea Dowhower, Penn State's VP for Student Affairs. “Criminal activity, including hazing, such as this has no place at our institution, and we will cooperate with law enforcement in any way we can. We will continue to enhance our efforts around health and safety and hazing educational efforts for all our organization.”. . .“The Death of A Sports Visionary:” Bill Rasmussen, whose vision and ambition fueled the 1979 launch of ESPN as the world's first 24-hour television network, died Tuesday at the age of 93 — Rasmussen died at his Florida home from the effects of Parkinson's Disease - - With son Scott, Rasmussen conceived of the initial idea of ESPN - first, as solely a Connecticut venture, and then as a 24-hour national sports network - - It was a moment for risk-taking: In the late 1970s, not many people thought an around-the-clock cable sports network had any chance - but Bill Rasmussen, who had just been fired as communications director of the New England Whalers, was one of them - as he maxed out his credit card, and with his $9,000 advance, acquired valuable space on a communications satellite — Rasmussen knocked on doors, talking to all the major sports leagues, the top cable operators and an array of investors: He gained backing, and on Sept. 7, 1979, the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network was born - as Bill & Scott Rasmussen co-founded ESPN with Bill serving as ESPN's first president and CEO - - Though Rasmussen left ESPN after a few years, he laid the groundwork for future growth: A meeting with the NFL did not bring immediate results, but a door was opened to what would eventually become “Monday Night Football” on ESPN — After leaving ESPN, Rasmussen contributed to a number of other media ventures and chronicled his experience in public speaking engagements - as he also wrote a book about his ESPN experience, “Sports Junkies Rejoice: The Birth of ESPN.”. . .“Tackling Fuel:” Tackling on the football field is normally permitted. . .unless the person doing the tackling comes screaming out of the stands and happens to not be wearing pads: A 16-year-old girl from Winchester, Tennessee [about an hour & a half SE of Nashville] is now facing charges after she ran out onto a football field in the middle of a game and tackled one of the players out on the field - - The contest between South Middle School and Cornersville Middle School was taking place at Franklin County High School, and shortly after South scored a TD, two players got into a fight on the field – This prompted a 16-year-old girl at the game to jump the fence and run out onto the gridiron: She targeted one of the middle schoolers that had been in the scuffle moments earlier, and tackled him to the ground - - The teenager managed to hit the football player a second time before coaches and referees were able to jump in and break up the fight - - The 16-year-old was attending the contest with her parents, and she was able to leave the premises with them - - The following morning, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office charged the teen with assault and disorderly conduct - as the Franklin County School systems followed suit, handing down a lifetime trespass ban from all district properties to the girl - - Additionally, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) said the 16-year-old cannot attend Cornersville Middle School athletic events for one year - - After the incident occurred on the field, the coaches and referees came together and decided to call the game early - as South Middle was up 35 to nothing at the time anyways - so there was no sense in continuing to try and determine a winner - - Fortunately, no one was injured during this wild incident, and the Marshall County school district is working to amp up security at middle school football games for the remainder of the season. . .

- Tradition's Finest 2026 College Football Season Preview & Prediction Showcase: Week #5: The SEC Conference: In this week's 'Tradition's Finest College Football Season Preview & Prediction Showcase,' JD & Spencer break down, analyze & preview the SEC Conference for the upcoming 2026-27 college football season, as well as provide their independent/individual predictions regarding a potential "dark horse" contender for the Conference, and which program they predict to win the Conference. . .**NOTE: In next week's episode, JD and Spencer will provide their predictions for the 2026-27 College Football Playoff, as well as projecting their CFB Awards winners. . .Be Sure to Tune In!. . .

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 146 - The "Here Lies the 46 Defense" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football: Florida State football will retire Sebastian Janikowski's No.38 jersey on Aug. 29, as the ceremony will take place during the team's college football season opener at Doak Campbell Stadium: kickoff for New Mexico State vs. Florida State is set for 7 p.m. ET. -- **NOTE: Janikowski becomes just the 13th Seminole to have a jersey or number retired, along with some of college football's most legendary players: Deion Sanders, Jameis Winston, Peter Warrick, Derrick Brooks, Chris Weinke, Charlie Ward, Fred Biletnikoff, Terrell Buckley, Warrick Dunn, Ron Sellers, Ron Simmons and Marvin Jones - - College football programs rarely give this honor to a kicker, but Florida State will celebrate Janikowski for good reason - - The Poland native moved to Florida before his sophomore year in high school, and eventually went on to kick for the Seminoles from 1997 through 1999 -- As a freshman, he hit a 56-yard FG against Wake Forest, a school record at the time, whereas as a sophomore, he made 27 FGs and scored a total of 123 points - both of which broke Florida State and ACC single-season records - and he also led the country by making 84.4% of his attempts -- His senior season ended with a 12-0 record and the program's seconds national title: he went 47-for-47 on extra points and led the nation with 23 FGs -- **NOTE: He finished his collegiate career 66-of-83 on FGs with 324 points, and he is still the only two-time winner of the Lou Groza Award, given to college football's best kicker annually -- And because of him, Florida State established himself as "Kicker U," highlighted by the fact that a Seminole has won that award four (4) times, twice since Janikowski's wins, a record for any program - - The Oakland Raiders took the left-footed kicker No.17 overall in the 2000 NFL Draft, as team owner Al Davis made the call, and his own building pushed back, whereas then-HC Jon Gruden and the Raiders' organization were initially "disappointed and angry that Al used a [first-round] pick on a kicker." - - The 6-foot-1, 255-pound kicker spent 17 seasons in Oakland, where he made 414 FGs and scored 1,913 points, both NFL franchise records -- His 63-yarder in 2011 tied an NFL record, and to date, no other kicker has gone in the first round in the 26 drafts since 2000. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Florida State football retiring former kicker Sebastian Janikowski's No.38 jersey during their upcoming season opener versus New Mexico State on August 29th?. . ."A Cease-and-Desist:" An attorney representing Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels has informed LSU that it can no longer use his name, image and likeness, according to an August 5 letter sent to Tigers AD Verge Ausberry, a copy of which was obtained by ESPN on Wednesday -- At the center of the dispute, according to a statement from Daniels' spokesperson to ESPN, is that the Tigers are allowing sophomore CB DJ Pickett to wear the No.5 jersey that Daniels wore when he became LSU's third Heisman Trophy winner in 2023 -- While Daniels' jersey hasn't been retired by the Tigers, it's the first time a player has worn No.5 since he left the program for the NFL -- Pickett wore No.3 during his first season with the Tigers in 2025 when he was named a freshman All-American, as he led LSU with three (3) INTs to go with 37 tackles and one sack in 524 defensive snaps - Pickett was wearing No.5 when the Tigers opened preseason practice last week, leading to questions about why first-year LSU HC Lane Kiffin had allowed the jersey swap to happen -- The No.9 jersey that Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow wore at LSU hasn't been worn since 2019, when he won the Heisman Trophy and led the Tigers to a 15-0 record and College Football Playoff national championship - - Kiffin told reporters Aug. 5 that Pickett had been promised he could wear No.5 when he signed with the Tigers in December 2024: Pickett had worn that number as a high school star in Zephyrhills, Florida, where he was the No.2 CB in the Class of 2025 by ESPN Recruiting -- Former LSU HC Brian Kelly told ESPN on Wednesday that he believed that the No.5 jersey was promised to Pickett during his recruitment, but Kelly chose not to issue it to him because Daniels wasn't on board with Pickett wearing his number, but Kelly was fired on Oct. 26, 2025, after his teams compiled a 34-14 record in four (4) seasons -- DJ Pickett has indicated that he will continue to wear No.5 despite the letter issued to the University per Jayden Daniels' attorney. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Jayden Daniels' cease-and-desist letter indicating that LSU may no longer use his name, image and likeness, after allowing CB DJ Pickett to wear his No.5 jersey?. . .

- NBA - - Don Nelson, aged 86, the second-winningest coach in NBA history, a five-time NBA champion as a player and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, has died, it was announced Sunday -- **NOTE: In 31 seasons as an NBA HC with the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors (twice), New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks, Nelson finished with a regular-season record of 1,335-1,063 -- He retired with the most coaching wins ever, a mark that was broken by the San Antonio Spurs' Gregg Popovich in March 2022 - - Nelson made 18 playoff appearances as a coach, finishing with a 75-91 postseason record - and was a three-time winner of the NBA Coach of the Year award (1983, '85, '92) but never won an NBA championship as a coach -- As a player, Nelson won five (5) NBA titles in 11 seasons with the Boston Celtics, who retired his No.19 jersey in 1978 - he played 14 seasons in the league -- Immediately following his playing career, Nelson joined the Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant coach for the 1976-77 season - and only 15 games into that season, he was promoted to HC after Larry Costello was fired -- While at Milwaukee, he used an unorthodox coaching style that became known as "Nellie Ball" to put together a Hall of Fame resume during his 31 seasons: Nellie Ball proved to be ahead of its time, utilizing smaller, more athletic players to fuel a fast-paced offense that prioritized creating mismatches through speed - as it was a philosophy that was adopted across the league long after he retired: Nelson's fast-paced offenses were probably best on display during his first stint in Golden State in the early 1990s - the "Run TMC" era featuring future Hall of Famers Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin - as Nelson said he wanted the trio of guards on the court at the same time, a daring idea at the time, that today, is commonplace across the NBA. . ."One-of-One:" Cooper Flagg's coveted one-of-one numbered rookie debut patch autograph card was found in Rhode Island on Monday night -- Members of RhodyBreakers, a division of the Baseball Cards of Rhode Island retail shop that opens boxes of trading cards on a live stream for clients, were on a stream when they pulled the much-sought-after card: The card, which Flagg signed during Fanatics Fest last month, has drawn significant attention - including from the Dallas Mavericks, who offered a "bounty" in exchange for it -- The jersey Flagg wore in the first half of his NBA debut - from which the card's patch is made - sold for $1 million in February -- A similar exclusive card featuring the MLB's Pittsburgh Pirates star pitcher Paul Skenes recently sold for $1.1 million, leading to much speculation that Flagg's card could fetch, at minimum, that much in an auction -- The owner of Flagg's card will be hard-pressed to part with it, but the Mavericks recently made their case with an offer that includes the following: (a) two Mavericks' premium season tickets for the next 32 years, (b) a signed, game-worn Flagg rookie jersey plus a postgame photo with the star, (c) a private photo shoot with the NBA ROTY trophy, (d) an all-expenses paid road trip with the team, and more -- **NOTE: The current highest paid for any Cooper Flagg trading card, to date, is $366,000 in a March 2026 auction. . .Q: Serious question: Are you taking the Dallas Mavericks' offer OR are you holding onto the one-of-one Cooper Flagg rookie debut patch autograph card, to ultimately, sell it to the highest bidder?. . .The Los Angeles Lakers are being sold to Josh Kushner and Bog Iger for $12.5 billion, a record-breaking price, as per multiple sources who informed ESPN of the deal -- The businessmen were involved in the expansion process in Las Vegas, but in a stunning turn, they pivoted to make an aggressive offer to purchase the Lakers from Mark Walter, who purchased a controlling interest in the team from the Buss family last year for a then-record franchise valuation of approximately $10 billion -- Walter, the CEO and chair of diversified holding company TWG Global, has been the Lakers' majority owner since last October when his bid was unanimously approved by the NBA - and similarly, the sale to Kushner & Iger will still need approval from the NBA's Board of Governors, and that process can take up to several weeks - with the next board meeting scheduled to take place next month in New York -- Walter, who built his financial empire in the insurance industry, is under federal investigation for alleged tax fraud by other companies tied to the billionaire, including the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) -- Kushner, 41, founded venture capital firm Thrive Capital and is the co-founder and vice chairman of Oscar Health - Kushner, who is the brother of U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, runs Thrive Eternal, the investment fund to which FIFA wanted to sell a minority stake to run its World Cup tournaments for $4.2 billion, however, primarily due to the controversy surrounding the news, FIFA president Giannis Infantino withdrew that proposal earlier this month -- Kushner holds a minority stake in the Miami Heat and previously was a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies - but he will now be forced to sell his stake in the Heat to clear the way for the Lakers purchase -- Iger, 75, was succeeded this year as Disney CEO by Josh D'Amaro, ending his second term in the role - and in 2024, he along with his wife Willow Bay, became the controlling owner of NWSL team Angel City FC. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Los Angeles Lakers NBA franchise being sold to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for a record-breaking price of $12.5 billion? Did the franchise's decision to cut ties with star LeBron James, as well as its' acquisition of cornerstone Luka Doncic, increase the valuation of the franchise an estimated $2.5 billion?. . ."Why Not. . .Retire?:" Russell Westbrook, who played 18 seasons with seven (7) teams, announced his retirement on social media on Wednesday: "Sometimes you don't even know when you've already watched the end," the 37-year-old Westbrook wrote on his post, which contained a video of his career highlights narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan: "You had to be there. And now it's over." - - Westbrook had offers this offseason with the Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards but chose to step away from the game on his own terms, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania, ending one of the most statistically robust careers in league history: After a two-year college career at UCLA, Westbrook was selected No.4 overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, but he never played a game in the city - as the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City that summer, and Westbrook quickly emerged into a pillar for what would soon become a perennial contender -- Westbrook spent the bulk of his career - 11 seasons - with the Thunder, teaming up with Kevin Durant and James Harden to lead the Thunder to a Western Conference title in 2012 before losing to the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals -- **NOTE: He remains the Thunder's career leader in scoring, assists, rebounds and steals - but due to ill-timed injuries and personnel changes, that famed Thunder team never made it back to the mountaintop, as Harden was traded before the 2012-13 NBA season, Westbrook had a meniscus tear in the first round of the 2013 playoffs, and Durant had a foot fracture that ended their 2015 run -- OKC lost in a dramatic seven-game series to the 73-win Golden State Warriors in the 2016 playoffs, and Durant departed for the Warriors that ensuing summer - but Westbrook remained loyal, signing an extension at a time the organization felt at is most vulnerable, keeping the Thunder relevant in his mid-prime seasons and helping lure Paul George and Carmelo Anthony to Oklahoma City -- **NOTE: During the 2016-17 season, he became the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1962 to average a triple-double for a full season, putting up 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists to capture the MVP award - as he posted an NBA-record 42 triple-doubles that season - - Westbrook, a nine-time NBA All-Star, has career averages of 20.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game and holds the NBA record for most career triple-doubles with 209, surpassing Oscar Robertson's long-standing mark of 181 in 2021, which was a record that had stood since 1974 -- The Thunder eventually traded George to the LA Clipper and Westbrook to the Houston Rockets before the 2019-20 season, replenishing their asset base and rebuilding the core of what would become the 2025 NBA champion Thunder team -- Westbrook played for the Rockets, Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers & Clippers, Denver Nuggets, and Kings over his final seven (7) seasons in the league, maintaining his durability and production deep into his 30s -- **NOTE: Westbrook retires fifth in NBA history in career assists, behind John Stockton, Chris Paul, Jason Kidd and LeBron James - and he will finish 14th on the NBA's career scoring list with 27,176 points - with the only three (3) active players ahead of him being James and his former teammates, Kevin Durant & James Harden. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Russell Westbrook announcing his retirement from the NBA after an 18-year career? What are your thoughts on the NBA's CBA and its' effect on whether or not older veteran players are signed to a minimum contract and/or presented with a chance to return to the league?. . .

- NFL - - Tempers flared during the Las Vegas Raiders' eighth training camp practice last Friday, as star DE Maxx Crosby hit QB Kirk Cousins twice during the team period - and when Crosby hit Cousins' arm a second time, the 15-year veteran had had enough - as he got into Crosby's face, allegedly grabbing the All-Pro's jersey, while both exchanged words before it was broken up by their fellow teammates -- Cousins and Crosby had to be separated after the fight, at the 37-year-old QB appeared upset that Crosby tipped his pass, forcing an incompletion, and then charged the 6-foot-5, 256-pound DE, who is three (3) inches taller and 42 lbs heavier -- Ahead of training camp, Crosby said the coaching staff warned him about touching the QB - as they are fully aware of the passing and intensity that Crosby brings to practice and knows he can occasionally cross the line - as he has been that way since his collegiate days back at Eastern Michigan -- Raiders HC Klint Kubiak said it's a part of training camp, but he wants his players to be smart when those type of situations occur: Raiders QB Kirk Cousins and DE Maxx Crosby were ultimately suspended from participating in team drills at practice the following Saturday, giving rookie QB Fernando Mendoza his first opportunity in Raiders' training camp to run the starting offense -- The Raiders were then off the following Sunday before returning Monday morning, at which point, Crosby reportedly gave Kirk Cousins love at the Raiders' practice Monday following their on-field scuffle over the weekend. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Las Vegas Raiders veteran QB Kirk Cousins and star DE Maxx Crosby's training camp altercation? What type of impact does you think Cousins standing up to Crosby, despite the obvious size differences, does for the for the offense's cohesiveness going into the 2026-27 NFL regular season?. . .The Minnesota Vikings named Kyler Murray as their starting QB, HC Kevin O'Connell confirmed on Tuesday - as this was the expected conclusion to the team's QB competition despite a rocky series of practices leading up to the decision -- Murray has been the heavy favorite to win the starting job from the moment he signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Vikings on March 12 following his release by the Arizona Cardinals, who still owe him $35.5 million -- The announcement pushes J.J. McCarthy, the No.10 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, to the No.2 or backup role after 10 career starts, and raises questions about his future with the franchise -- The timing of the decision will give Murray a month of full-time practice with the Vikings' starting offense, after splitting reps with McCarthy during the spring and the first two weeks of training camp, before the regular season begins Sept. 13 against the Green Bay Packers -- Regardless of the announcement, both Murray and McCarthy are likely to play in Saturday's preseason game at the New York Giants - - When asked about McCarthy's future with the Vikings' franchise, HC Kevin O'Connell said that he "absolutely" believes that the QB still has a future with the team. . .Q: Are you the slightest bit shocked by the news that Kyler Murray has been named the Vikings' starting QB over J.J. McCarthy?. . .

- Miscellaneous - Little League Baseball: A big shout out is in order for the Phenix City (AL) 12U All-Stars, who for the first time since 1999, are headed to the Little League World Series, after capping an unbeaten run through the Southeast Regional with a 4-0 win over Nolensville (TN) to earn a trip to Williamsport, Pennsylvania -- **NOTE: For the first time in more than two decades, a team from the state of Alabama - our home state - will participate in the Little League World Series . . .

2026 College Football Season Preview & Predictions: Week #4: The Big 12 Conference, Group of Five and CFB Independents: In this week's 'Tradition's Finest College Football Season Preview & Prediction Showcase,' JD & Spencer break down & analyze the Big 12 Conference, the Group of Five - which include the Sun Belt Conference, American Athletic Conference (AAC), Mid-American Conference (MAC), Conference USA, and Mountain West Conference - as well as the CFB Independents (i.e., Notre Dame & UConn) for the upcoming 2026-27 College Football season, as well as provide their independent/individual predictions regarding a potential "dark horse" contender for each Conference and which program(s) they predict to win each Conference, and finally, they present their individual predictions on whether or not the Fighting Irish will advance to this year's College Football Playoff. . .**NOTE: In next week's episode, JD & Spencer will preview the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in the final week of this year's 'Tradition's Finest College Football Season Preview & Prediction Showcase.' Be Sure to Tune In!

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 145.5 - The "Late-Life Jordan" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football: "A Corporate Partnership:" The Ohio State University athletics department is entering a new corporate partnership with JPMorganChase that includes jersey patches for all 36 of the Buckeyes' teams and will yield nearly $17 million per year for the athletics program, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel last week — It is believed to be one of the biggest non-apparel corporate deals in college sports - - **NOTE: The yearly income generated by the worn jersey patches is financially greater than many NBA [i.e., a professional sports entity] jersey patch deals - as OSU's deal also includes NIL opportunities for athletes - - Uniform patches were approved in January by Division I leaders as a means to generate additional income to fund athletic departments that are looking for new ways to pay their players - - In addition to the logos already allowed for the uniform manufacturers, teams can place up to two patches of no more than four (4) square inches on uniforms for regular-season games - - The College Football Playoff has also been looking into how to incorporate additional sponsors (i.e., patches, etc.) for that sports' postseason, and now it seems that the CFP will reap the rewards, much as programs such as Ohio State will, as well. . .Q: What are your thoughts on OSU's corporate partnership with JPMorganChase that will ultimately yield an additional $17 million for the University's athletic department?. . ."Offensive Coordinator of the Game:" The University of Akron Athletics announced a new fan promotion, "Offensive Coordinator of the Game," giving one football season ticketholder the first-ever opportunity to help script the opening drive of the Zips' 2026 season opener at home — The selected fan will work directly with Zips head football coach Joe Moorhead to help design the offensive plays that open the game - a first-of-its-kind experience for the Akron program - - The winner will be selected in a random drawing held on August 19 - as the winning fan will then meet with Moorhead ahead of the season opener to help script the plays for the Zips' opening drive - - Applicants will also receive an extra chance to win with every new season ticket holder they refer. . .Q: If you satisfied the requirements and could enter this contest at Akron, what are you drawing up for the Zips' opening drive: Four (4) Verts? A Hail Mary? A Tush-Push?. . .

- NBA - - "LeBron's Final [Surely. . .Most Likely. . .Quite Possibly] Decision:" LeBron James, after saying he seriously considered retirement from the NBA, is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers for his final run at another NBA championship, he announced last Friday - - James, 41, is signing a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option, Klutch Sports Group CEO Rich Paul told ESPN's Shams Charania - - In a series of posts on social media, James addressed his decision-making, writing that he initially thought he was done playing after the 2025-26 NBA season before taking time to decide on his future: "I was honest at the last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and decide if I still love this game," he wrote — After deciding "I still truly love this game, and I have more to give," James chose the 76ers, committing to a fourth NBA team as he searches for a fifth NBA championship before retirement - - James will hope to break a 43-year championship drought for the 76ers, much the same way he erased a 52-year streak without a title for the city of Cleveland when he led the Cavaliers to an NBA title in 2016 — And, according to James, this will be his final free agency choice as he enters a record-breaking 24th season in the league: "This is my last decision. I'm not going for money. I'm not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point?" James wrote on X. "I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship. I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time." - - Per multiple reports, the Sixers came at James from all angles: President of basketball operations Mike Gansey, who was a Cavaliers' executive during James' second stint in Cleveland, and competed against him when they were high school players in northeastern Ohio, and they remained in constant communication - as well as with Bron's agent, Rich Paul - behind the scenes, sources told ESPN - - Meanwhile, a trio of players - Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and the newly acquired Jaylen Brown, another surprising addition for Philadelphia this offseason - worked on James directly, sources informed ESPN - as that effort was led by Maxey, a fellow Klutch Sports Group client, who has referred to James as a "big brother" in the past - - Shortly after James' announcement was public, Brown posted "#throwtheballup" on X - which is also what he wrote in his introductory note to Philadelphia, and it has already been branded on billboards throughout the city - - Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro even proclaimed Friday [7/24] as LeBron James Day in the state - - James returns to an emergent Eastern Conference that includes two of his former teams that also heavily pursued the four-time MVP this time around: Donovan Mitchell & the Cavaliers, and Giannis Antetokounmpo & the Heat - - As for the Sixers, they went 45-37 last season and lost to the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks 4-0 in the second round of the playoffs -- **NOTE: It has been more than four (4) decades since the Philadelphia 76ers last won an NBA title (1983), and as a franchise, they only have two other conference finals appearances and one other NBA Finals appearance in that particular span: The furthest they have advanced into the postseason with All-Star C Joel Embiid is Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Toronto Raptors in 2019, when Kawhi Leonard's fading-out-of-bounds, last-second shot bounced around the rim, prior to ending the Sixers' season in a devastating way - - Following James' announcement, the 76ers' odds moved from 20-1 to +900 to win the 2026 NBA Finals, and from +750 to +370 [essentially, that's an "even money" bet] to win the Eastern Conference at DraftKings Sportsbook - - James' decision puts an end to a free agency frenzy of speculation about his options over the past several weeks, one fueled in part by his agent, Rich Paul, going on a media tour to discuss James' prospects, notably drawing out a list of potential suitors on a whiteboard for an episode of his podcast - - All the hoopla muted the fallout of James' departure from the Los Angeles Lakers after an eight-year run with the NBA franchise - which included the 2020 championship in the bubble, and was his longest consecutive tenure with any team throughout his 23-year NBA career -- James' departure from the Lakers ended the historic pairing in which he got to play alongside his son, Bronny - as Paul, who represents both players - attempted to halt the speculation surrounding Bronny's next steps in the league, by telling ESPN's Ramona Shelburne that "[LeBron and Bronny] are not a package deal," and furthermore, there is no current plan in place and/or request for Bronny James to join his father in the "City of Brotherly Love." . . .Q: On a scale from 1 to 10, how shocked were you to learn that LeBron James had announced that he was joining the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8-million deal? Following an impressive NBA offseason that included the acquisition of former Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, and now LeBron James from Los Angeles, where do the 76ers fall in next year's Eastern Conference race next season? The 2026 NBA Finals? Should Philly be considered "legitimate" NBA title contenders?. . .

- NFL - - Zay Flowers has quickly established himself as the most decorated WR in Baltimore Ravens history, and now, he's the highest-paid WR in franchise history, too: Flowers agreed on a four-year extension with the Ravens on Tuesday, the team announced — The deal for the two-time Pro Bowler is for $140 million and includes $108 million fully guaranteed - both of which are records for a Ravens WR - per his agency, Win Sports Group, who informed ESPN's Adam Schefter - - **NOTE: The average of $35 million annually ties him with Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson as the NFL's fourth-highest paid WR, meanwhile, he becomes the second-highest paid player on the Ravens roster behind QB Lamar Jackson - - The contract extension had been expected after GM Eric DeCosta expressed optimism this offseason that a deal would get done - as Flowers, who was not made available to the media on Tuesday, said in June that he would love to finish his career in Baltimore - - Flowers, who will turn 26 next month, solidified himself as Jackson's most trusted target last season: his 1,211 yards receiving accounted for 36.9% of the Ravens' total receiving yards on the season, which was the second highest share by any player in 2025 behind Seattle Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (44.1%) - - **NOTE: In 2024, Flowers become the Ravens' first player to make the Pro Bowl as a WR in the franchise's 29-year history - - He again reached the Pro Bowl last season, when he set career highs with 86 catches for 1,211 yards - as no other Baltimore WR had more than 25 catches or 400 yards in 2025 - - Previously under contract through 2027, now with the contract extension, Flowers is under contract through 2031 - - The No.22 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Boston College, Flowers overcame the knocks on his 5-foot-9, 183-pound frame by totaling 3,128 yards in his first three (3) seasons, which ranks third among WRs from the 2023 Draft, trailing the Rams' Puka Nacua (4,191) and Smith-Njigba (3,551). . .Q: The main question here is. . .Is Zay Flowers' value to the Baltimore Ravens necessarily worth $140 million w/ $108 million guaranteed?. . ."Diggs to WSH?:" Free agent WR Stefon Diggs is set to sign a one-year deal worth up to $12 million with the Washington Commanders, giving the team a proven WR opposite Terry McLaurin, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter - - Diggs strengthens a WR group whose depth had improved from 2025 but was still facing questions at the top, aside from McLaurin - - Diggs, 32, will be joining a new team for the third time in three (3) seasons - as he gives Washington a stronger second option alongside McLaurin, whose string of five (5) consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons was snapped last year due to injury - - Diggs has been voted to the Pro Bowl four (4) times - the last one occurring three (3) years ago, and was named a first-team All-Pro in 2020 when he led the NFL with 127 receptions. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the overall fit of Stefon Diggs in Washington?. . .

- MLB: Trade Deadline - - The Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday added former All-Star left-hander Kris Bubic from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for minor league right-hander Carlos Duran — Bubic is on the 60-day injured list with shoulder and elbow issues, but the Royals had expected him to return in late August, which would put him in line to pitch out of the bullpen for Los Angeles during the start of the MLB playoffs - - He was an All-Star last season, when he went 8-7 with a 2.55 ERA in 20 starts - as he is 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA in nine (9) starts this season - - **NOTE: In seven (7) MLB seasons, all with the Royals, he is 22-38 with a 4.14 ERA and 495 strikeouts in 522 innings - as the 28-year-old lefty, who has been on the IL since May 18, will be a free agent after this season - - Duran, on the other hand, is 3-2 with a 3.38 ERA for the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City - - Los Angeles also traded for a pair of catchers in Ben Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia while placing regular starter Dalton Rushing on the injured list, as the Dodgers got Rortvedt for the second year in a row, this time from the New York Mets for right-hander Chayce McDermott — The Dodgers also acquired Feduccia and right-hander Jacob Kmatz from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for OF Jack Suwinski and international bonus pool money. . . .The Boston Red Sox acquired three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles, one of three (3) moves the MLB's hottest team made ahead of the MLB trade deadline on Monday — Rutschman, currently on the IL with left wrist inflammation, gives the Red Sox a big bat at a position in need at catcher - but it came at a cost: Top right-handed pitching prospect Anthony Eyanson was part of the return for the Orioles, along with OF prospect Enddy Azocar and another young right-hander in Kyson Witherspoon - - The Orioles will also receive catcher Carlos Narvaez and a player to be named later or cash considerations, while catcher Jake Rogers is also headed to the Red Sox - - Rutschman, who earned his third All-Star nod with the Orioles this season, provides elite defense and has regained his old form at the plate; however, he became expendable in Baltimore when the Orioles signed young slugger Samuel Basallo to a long-term deal prior to this season - - **NOTE: A former No.1 draft pick, Rutschman, 28, is under team control through the 2027 season - and given the rigors of the catching position - this switch-hitter is good at almost everything in the batter's box, with his expected on-base average at the All-Star break being the second-best rate of his career behind only his 5.5-WAR season in 2023 - - The con?: He has been on the injured list three (3) times this season: once with left ankle inflammation (April), after suffering a concussion (June), and with wrist inflammation (July) - - Nonetheless, Rutschman is hitting .251 with eight (8) HRs and 47 RBIs this season - and overall, in his five (5) season in the majors - all spent with Baltimore - he has a career .254 average with 69 HRs and 277 RBIs. . .The Philadelphia Phillies have acquired three-time batting champion Luis Arraez from the San Francisco Giants in a trade that has the second baseman joining his fifth team in five (5) years - - The Phillies also received right-handed reliever Caleb Kilian in the trade, while the Giants acquired two minor leaguers: top pitching prospect Ramon Marquez and reliever Marty Gair - - Arraez, who is slated to become a free agent following this season, returned to second base with the Giants - and his defense at the position is among the best in the league - but he also has experience at first base, having played there for the San Diego Padres in 2024 and 2025 - but he has made it very clear that he doesn't want to move from second base - - Multiple outlets reported Monday that the Phillies plan to use Arraez as their primary second baseman, meaning multiple other everyday players would potentially have to change positions - Bryston Stott, Philadelphia's current regular second baseman, could shift to third base in a move that could sent Alec Bohm to first base and Bryce Harper to the outfield - - **NOTE: Arraez is having his best offensive season since 2023, hitting .324, which places him at the top of the National League and in second place in the majors behind the Astros' Yordan Alvarez (.330) - with four (4) HRs and 43 RBIs - and though he doesn't bring much over-the-fence power or many walks, nobody is better at putting the ball in play than the four-time All-Star, who will likely lead the MLB with the lowest strikeout rate in the majors for a fifth consecutive season - - He was traded from the Miami Marlins to San Diego back in 2024 - as he won his third straight batting title, with three (3) different teams, by hitting .314 that season - as he left as a free agent after the 2025 season and signed with San Francisco on Feb. 10 of last year. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the MLB trade involving three-time batting champion Luis Arraez between the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants?. . .The New York Yankees acquired infielder Luis Garcia Jr. from the Washington Nationals in exchange for four (4) right-handed pitchers, the teams announced on Sunday — In return, the Nationals received Yovanny Cruz, Jake Bird, Ben Grable and Jack Cebert in the deal - - Garcia, who is under club control through next season, gives the Yankees' scuffling offense a much-needed jolt as it navigates August without Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton — **NOTE: The 26-year-old from the Dominican Republic leads the National League (NL) in slugging percentage (.560) and is batting .283 with a career-high 23 HRs, an .873 OPS and 134 wRC+ in 104 games played this season - - Garcia, who also has a career-high 76 RBIs, is however, not a seamless fit on the Yankees' roster as it is currently constructed: While the Yankees have sought a right-handed hitter on the trade market, Garcia bats left-handed — Defensively, he primarily played second base over his first six (6) seasons before moving to first base this year, meanwhile, the Yankees have Ben Rice & Paul Goldschmidt - a potential Hall of Famer - splitting time between first base and designated hitter, whereas Jazz Chisholm Jr., a two-time MLB All-Star, is entrenched at second base — So, what should the Yankees do?: It's actually quite simple. . . . .The Yankees could have Garcia start against right-handed pitchers either at first base or DH, with Ben Rice occupying the other spot, until Stanton returns from the IL - - Garcia's breakout - as his 18 HRs since June 1 are second in the majors behind Hunter Goodman - helped a Washington offense that has scored the most runs in baseball, fueling a significant step forward in the standings after a 96-loss season in 2025 - but the Nationals, whose staff ERA is 27th in baseball, signaled a willingness to flip major league position players for pitching help last week when they traded third baseman Curtis Mead, whom they acquired from the Chicago White Sox in March after he was designated for assignment, to the Boston Red Sox for left-hander Connelly Early - - **NOTE: By acquiring Luis Garcia Jr. from the Nationals, the New York Yankees now have the second- and third-ranked players in slugging percentage in the MLB this season. . .Q: What overall grade would you give this particular MLB trade between the Washington Nationals and New York Yankees?. . ."A Sku[bal] to the MLB:" For as much as they might have downplayed the possibility behind closed doors, the Los Angeles Dodgers were long seen by rival executives as overwhelming favorites to land generational ace Tarik Skubal - as their farm system was too good, their goals were too lofty, their rotation had become too uncertain — On Saturday night, a day & a half before the MLB trade deadline, they pulled it off: The Dodgers acquired Skubal, the reigning back-to-back American League (AL) Cy Young Award winner, from the Detroit Tigers for a package of three (3) prospects: OF Zyhir Hope and right-handers River Ryan & Brady Smith - - Skubal, a 29-year-old pending free agent, will now headline what was arguably already the best pitching rotation in the sport; Alongside him will be the following pitchers: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is making a strong case for a Cy Young of his own, followed by Blake Snell, Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow - all of whom are in varying stages of returning to the mound from injury - - **UPDATE: Tarik Skubal didn't have his best stuff in his Los Angeles Dodgers debut on Tuesday evening, but he managed to keep his team in the game, but unfortunately, the Dodgers provided little run support as they dropped their fifth consecutive game and second straight to the Chicago Cubs, in a 5-1 loss. . .

2026 College Football Season Preview & Predictions: Week #3: The Big Ten Conference: In this week's 'Tradition's Finest College Football Season Preview & Prediction Showcase,' JD & Spencer break down & analyze the Big Ten Conference for the upcoming 2026-27 College Football season, as well as provide their independent/individual predictions regarding a potential "dark horse" contender in the Conference and which member they predict to win the 2026-27 Big Ten Conference title/championship, and ultimately receive an automatic berth to this year's College Football Playoff. . .

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 144 - The "Run, Forrest, Run" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football: Curt Cignetti has engineered the turnaround of the century - if not college football history - over the past two seasons at Indiana - but the lone "knock" on Cignetti thus far has been Indiana's lack of elite talent brought in from the recruiting classes — That all changed last Friday when the Hoosiers' HC secured the highest-rated commit in program history with a pledge from a top-rated 2027 WR, and five-star player, Monshun Sales, the No.18 player in the SC Next 300 — The 6-foot-5, 200-pound recruit from Indianapolis is ESPN's No.4 WR prospect in the 2027 cycle — He announced his commitment to the defending national champion Hoosiers over Texas, Alabama, Ohio State and LSU last Friday afternoon during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show." - - Sales, the state's No.1 overall high school recruit in 2027, is Indiana's highest-ranked player since eventual All-American Jaylon Smith signed with Notre Dame as ESPN's No.7 overall prospect in the 2013 class - as his commitment represents a seismic milestone in Cignetti's remarkable turnaround following Indiana's storybook run to the school's first football national title in January: Sales joins OLB Jalaythan Mayfield (No.235 overall prospect) and in-state OT, Mason McDermott (No.254) as the third SC Next 300 commit atop the Hoosiers' latest recruiting class — All told, Indiana currently holds pledges from 17 prospects in the cycle - and if Sales ultimately signs with the program later this year, he'll surpass Class of 2022 signee Dasan McCullough (No.43 in the 2022 SC Next 300) as the highest-ranked addition in school history, as Indiana's class now ranks as the No.47 bunch in the country - - Originally from the state of Alabama - where he adopted the nickname "Bama," - Sales is a two-way star at Indianapolis' Lawrence North High School, where he totaled 37 catches for 794 yards and nine (9) TDs as a junior last fall, adding 56 tackles on defense - - He also offers blazing track speed in at an astounding 10.81 in the 100 meters. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Curt Cignetti and Indiana securing its highest-rated recruit ever in five-star WR Monshun "Bama" Sales?. . .Missouri Tigers RB Ahmad Hardy has been medically cleared and is expected to make a full recovery from a gunshot wound to the leg, but his timetable for a return remains unclear, per Tigers' HC Eli Drinkwitz on Monday at the annual SEC Media Days event - - Hardy was shot in the upper leg back on May 10 while attending an outdoor concert at a biker club in his hometown of Laurel, Mississippi — Drinkwitz said Hardy is "on the road to recovery" and is fully healed from from the bullet that struck a bone in his leg - - Drinkwitz also indicated that the star RB's return-to-play protocol could take between five (5) to eight (8) weeks but that there are no guarantees about when Hardy will be able to return, and how he will play and/or his performance following the incident - - **NOTE: Hardy finished second among all FBS players in rushing last year with 1,649 rushing yards, and he scored 16 TDs while helping the Tigers finish the season with an 8-5 record. . .University of Michigan AD Warde Manuel will reportedly step down at the end of the 2026-27 calendar year, the University announced on Monday - - The school also released a summary of an independent investigation into the "culture" of the scandal-plagued AD, which concluded that issuers were not "widespread." - - Manuel, 58, has led the powerhouse program as AD for over a decade, a time for which the program saw numerous national champions [including in college football and men's college basketball] but also NCAA run-ins, legal issues involving assistant football coaches (i.e., Connor Stalions) and the 2025 firing of head football coach Sherrone Moore for having an inappropriate relationship with a staff member - - On Monday, it released an outline of the investigation that has already cost nearly $12 million - as it does not plan to release any additional documents, according to a board of regents spokesperson - - While the outline stated that the review identified "a series of structural, policy, and operational recommendations designed to strengthen accountability and organizational effectiveness," Michigan president Domenico Grasso responded by issuing a video statement, in which he was critical of the "culture, conduct, and procedures," of the AD, noting "significant challenges." - - Grasso said the school will empower both its compliance team and Human Resources department and also made mention of strengthening background checks after the review "also identified interference, poor oversight and failures of accountability of the highest levels of university leadership," and furthermore noted, that "this must change.". . .

- MLB - - Nolan Arenado ripped a double down the left-field line for his 2,000th career hit Monday night, joining an elite club that includes some of the greatest players in baseball history - - **NOTE: The 35-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman became one of six (6) major leaguers with at least 2,000 hits, 350 homers and 10 Gold Glove awards — The others are Hall of Famers: Ken Griffey Jr., Willie Mayes, Mike Schmidt, Johnny Bench and Al Kaline - as Arenado said it was particularly gratifying to join a small fraternity that includes Schmidt, whom of which he personally considers to be the greatest third baseman to ever play in the league - - Arenado connected on a fastball from Oakland Athletics LHP Jeffrey Springs in the 5th inning of a 5-2 loss and received a lengthy standing ovation from the crowd at Chase Field - - **NOTE: He is one of sic (6) active MLB players who have recorded at least 2,000 hits, joining Freddie Freeman, Jose Altuve, Andrew McCutchen, Paul Goldschmidt and Manny Machado - - The 10-time Gold Glove winner is in his first year with the Diamondbacks after an injury-filled 2025 season with St. Louis - - He was batting .244 with 13 HRs and a .739 OPS leading into Monday's game - - Arenado played his first eight (8) seasons with the Colorado Rockies before spending the next five (5) with the Cardinals - - Considered by many to be one of the greatest third baseman of his generation, the eight-time MLB All-Star has a .280 career batting average with 366 homers and 1,228 RBIs. . .The Boston Red Sox won their 15th straight game to match a club record for the longest winning streak in team history from 80 years ago, beating the Baltimore Orioles 6-3 in the opener of a split doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon - - They equaled the 1946 American League champs, who were led by future Hall of Famer Ted Williams: Jarren Duran had a two-run triple and a sacrifice fly, and Calen Durbin - who hit a tiebreaking HR when they posted their 14th straight victory on Monday - chipped in with a two-run single - - Ceddanne Rafaela added a solo HR for Boston in a makeup from Tuesday' rainout - - Christian Encarnacion-Strand had a solo homer for Baltimore, his second in two games, meanwhile, Red Sox rookie left-hander Jake Bennett (6-3) worked 5 2/3 innings, giving up three (3) runs - but unfortunately, he took a 102.5 mph hit ball off the stomach from Taylor Ward in the 5th, but he did remain in the game after being checked by a trainer - - **NOTE: Aroldis Chapman got the final three (3) outs for his 23rd save and 390th of his career, tying Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley for nine (9) all time - - Baltimore then turned the tables on Boston: as the Orioles ended the Red Sox' franchise-record-tying 15-game winning streak behind Kyle Bradish's six (6) innings of one-run ball, defeating Boston 5-1 in the nightcap of a doubleheader on Wednesday - - It was Boston's first loss since a 10-2 game contest against the Washington Nationals at Fenway Park on July 1. . .

- NBA - - "Curry's HOF Exhibit:" The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame will launch a new exhibit this weekend dedicated to Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, representing the first time in the nearly 75-year history than an active player will be honored within the walls with a dedicated exhibit: The exhibit, titled "Stephen Curry: Beyond the Arc," will open to the public in Springfield, MA on Friday, as it will include Olympic and championship artifacts, game-worn gear and archival footage of Curry's journey from an unheralded prospect to a decorated four-time NBA champion - - Curry is about to enter his 18th professional season in the NBA and has stated that he intends to play at least two more - and he is expected to engage in extension talks with the Warriors once he becomes eligible in late August. . .Q: Are you surprised that Stephen Curry is the first player to receive such an honor, even prior to LeBron James?. .

- Miscellaneous - - PGA: Ryan Fox, 39, of New Zealand survived a wild ride along the back nine (9) at Royal Birkdale and delivered the biggest putt of his life Sunday, making a 12-foot birdie on the 18th (and final) hole to win The Open Championship for his first major title, closing with a 2-under 68 (-2) - - Needing a birdie on the final hole to avoid a playoff with clubhouse leader Cameron Young, Fox hit his approach shot from 175 yards out - and as the ball flex in the blue English sky toward the green, Fox yelled "Be right!". . .It was: The ball stopped 11 ½ feet from the hole - - After his playing partner, Sam Burns, putted out for par, Fox drained the birdie putt to win the Claret Jug - - Four (4) players had a share of the lead at some point Sunday: Cameron Young was atop the leaderboard for two hours without hitting a single shot because he finished his astonishing 6-under 64 when the leaders were on the front nine (9) - - Fox never lost hope, even after a pair of bogeys on the back nine (9), and the 39-year-old son of an All Blacks rugby player delivered the goods when it counted, as he birdied the 16th to tie Young for the lead, and then made birdie on the toughest hole (72nd) to become just the third Kiwi to win a PGA major - - Fox's sterling moment brought more disappointment for Young, as the American also finished one shot behind in The Open at St. Andrews four (4) years ago, and he had a Sunday lead on the front nine (9) at the Masters until Rory Mcllroy overtook him - - Sam Burns, the 54-hole leader, who was never planning to be at The Open until his wife gave birth to their daughter earlier than expected, lost a two-shot lead and didn't make a birdie over the last 12 holes to finish two shots behind on the leaderboard - - Defending Open champion Scottie Scheffler somehow managed to stick around until the end, getting two bad bounces that cost him momentum, then getting one big break for a most improbable birdie but failing to birdie the 18th - as he closed with a 67 and tied for fourth place with hometown star, Tommy Fleetwood, who fell back early but thrilled the thousands packed along the dunes with a birdie-birdie finish for a final score of 68 - - Missing from the drama, remarkably, was Bryson DeChambeau: he lost a golf ball and made triple bogey on the 11th hole and didn't make a birdie until he was well out of contention - as the two-shot penalty he received earlier on Friday for improving the path of his swing wasn't an issue at the end - DeChambeau shot a 72 and tied for 14th - - Fox won for the 10th time worldwide, his biggest title before Sunday coming at the BMW PGA Championship in 2023 -- **NOTE: Fox is the oldest first-time major champion since Henrik Stenson was 40 at Royal Troon ten years ago. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Ryan Fox's performance to win The Open Championship for his first PGA major title?. . . 2026 FIFA World Cup Recap: Third-Place/Bronze Medal Match: England vs. France - - England beat France 6-4 in a chaotic third-place World Cup playoff match last Saturday in Miami - as the finish was England's best at a World Cup since 1966 - - The first half saw Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa score before Bukayo Saka added a rapid-fire brace, completing his hat-trick from the spot three (3) minutes from time - - After the restart, France got going as Kylian Mbappe's brace made him the all-time leading goalscorer at the tournament, as Bradley Barcola contributed another to make it 4-3 before conceding a penalty which Saka converted – **NOTE: Mbappe moved past Lionel Messi for the career World Cup scoring record, scoring twice for France in the third-place match against England to reach 22 goals - - Mbappe has 10 goals in this World Cup, two more than Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, which is awarded to the tournament's top scorer - - France trailed England 4-0 when Mbappe flicked a shot past goalkeeper Dean Henderson in the 48th minute – Then he beat Henderson again with a left-footed strike from about 14 yards in the 66th minute to pass Messi's career mark of 21 goals - as France pulled within 4-3 on Mbappe's second goal: **NOTE: The 6-4 result marked the most goals in a World Cup game since 1982 [Hungary 10-1 over El Salvador] and the most goals for a third-place game - - An occasion that started with boos for the heavily-criticized manager Thomas Tuchel ended in a breathless bronze medal, with the wounds from the prior Wednesday's semifinal collapse to Argentina still raw - - Substitute Bradley Barcola scored the other and Le Bleus continued to pepper England's goal as Tuchel stared down the barrel of even greater humiliation than three (3) days prior - - But this England just held out: Saka scored a late penalty to complete his treble and substitute Jude Bellingham kept his cool after Ousmane Dembele's earlier stoppage-time strike. . .2026 FIFA World Cup Final: Spain vs. Argentina - - Ferran Torres clinched Spain's second men's World Cup title with an extra-time winner against reigning world champions Argentina in a bad-tempered final marred by Enzo Fernández's red card for a reckless foul on Pau Cubarsí - - Barcelona forward Torres, a 62nd-minute substitute for Mikel Oyarzabal, sealed a 1-0 win Sunday for the European champions when he struck from close range in the 106th minute his first goal of this year's World Cup - - By that stage, Argentina had been reduced to 10 players at New York/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) following the dismissal of Chelsea midfielder Fernández after his foul on Cubarsí in the third minute of second-half stoppage time that left referee Slavko Vincic with no option but to issue a second yellow card and a red to the 2022 World Cup winner - - Spain had dominated the game and created numerous scoring opportunities without being able to convert - as Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez finished with 11 saves, the most in a World Cup final - - Spain's dominance was such that Argentina did not register their first shot until Lionel Messi had an attempt blocked in the 117th minute – **NOTE: The 39-year-old Messi, who became the first man to start three World Cup finals and the oldest outfield player to start a final, finished the tournament with eight (8) goals, two behind France's Kylian Mbappé in the battle for the Golden Boot – Though he has yet to confirm his future plans, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner probably has finished his World Cup career with 21 goals, one behind Mbappé - - **NOTE: Argentina, aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, were unable to match up to Spain, with even Inter Miami star Messi failing to trouble Luis de la Fuente's team - - Spain resisted late Argentina pressure to win the game and their first World Cup since defeating Netherlands in South Africa in 2010: "When you have Messi on the other side, well, you are nervous," Torres said. "At the end of the day, we always depended on us. We always come up with our football, and we showed it again." - - **NOTE: The Spanish finished the World Cup with only one goal allowed, the fewest for a World Cup winner despite playing more games (8) than any previous champion – The win made de la Fuente, at 65, the oldest coach to lead a team to the World Cup title: "We are world champions," de la Fuente said. "It was together we reached this stage. I feel pride, to be honest. Accompanying my players on this journey is an honor." **NOTE: As well as a second World Cup title, Spain's win extended their unbeaten streak to 38 games in all competitions (29-9-0 W-D-L), breaking a tie with Italy (2018-21) for the longest by a men's national team - - They are the third reigning European champions to win the World Cup title, matching the Spain team of 2008-10 and 1972-74 West Germany - - "Once we finished the game, I had a group of footballers who said, "Coach, what else is there to win, we have won everything, in every category?" De la Fuente added. "We came to the conclusion that what remains is the next match in September [against England at Wembley] because this team is relentless." - - **NOTE: It was the 104th and last match of the biggest World Cup, a 48-team event that played out in the U.S., Canada and Mexico – Because there were more matches than any previous World Cup, it was no surprise that there were more goals than all other editions -- 307 and counting entering Sunday - - The spectacle was not limited to simply soccer. . .Q: What were your thoughts on this year's and/or the 2026 World Cup?. . .

- 2026 College Football Season Preview & Predictions PT. 2: ACC Conference: In Week Two of our 'Tradition's Finest College Football Season Preview & Prediction Showcase,' JD & Spencer discuss the history of the ACC Conference, provide a full breakdown & season outlook for the league, as well as to provide their individual predictions regarding a potential "dark horse" contender in the Conference and which member they predict to win the 2026-27 ACC Conference title/championship. . .

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 143 - "The Pop'a Big Perk Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Basketball: The National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame has announced its' Class of 2026, honoring three (3) legendary players and three (3) iconic coaches whose collegiate careers represent the highest levels of achievement in the history of the game: The class includes national championship coaches Jay Wright (led Villanova to two national titles in 2016 & 2018) and Tubby Smith (led Kentucky to a national title in 1998), longtime Kansas HC Ted Owens (1964-1983), BYU superstar Danny Ainge, Michigan scoring ace Glen Rice and the late UCLA legend Walt Hazzard - - Each induction class is selected by the Blue Ribbon Selection Committee, comprised of college basketball executives & respected leaders around the country, and administered by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Foundation - - The Class of 2026 will be formally enshrined during the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Celebration, presented by UMB Private Wealth Management on Oct. 22 at the College Basketball Experience in Kansas City, Missouri - - **NOTE: This year marks the 20th class to be inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, as it started in 2006 with a historic group of honorees, featuring John Wooden, Dean Smith, Oscar Robertson and Bill Russell. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026?. . .NCAA College Football: Florida State is hiring former Texas, Houston & Florida Atlantic (FAU) HC Tom Herman to its coaching staff for the upcoming 2026 season, a source confirmed to ESPN on Monday, whereas a second source later informed the network, that Herman will serve as an assistant to Seminoles' HC Mike Norvell [and so, basically, it appears the "Gus Malzahn" experiment didn't work out, so they have selected Tom Herman to potentially become FSU's interim coach if the wheels fall off the Florida State football program this season under Norvell] - - Herman, 51, coached in 2024 with Florida Atlantic, when he was fired shortly before the end of his second season - - He went 54-20 with Houston and then Texas, recording top-10 finishes in 2015 (Houston) and 2017 (Texas), and went 6-16 at FAU - - Herman spent 2021 as an offensive analyst with the Chicago Bears in the NFL, but he hasn't served as a college assistant since a three-year run as Ohio State's OC from 2012 to 2014 under HC Urban Meyer: Herman built his profile as an offensive play-caller, holding coordinator roles with such programs as Texas State, Rice and Iowa State, prior to his arrival in Columbus, where he won the Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant in 2014, when the Buckeyes went on to win the national championship with a third-string QB (i.e., Cardale Jones) - - While Tim Harris Jr. was promoted to the OC role following Malzahn's departure; HC Mike Norvell is set to reclaim his offensive play-calling duties this season. . .Q: Could Tom Herman be FSU's "coach-in-waiting" (aka, an interim coach) in the event that Mike Norvell and the Seminoles do not have a successful 2026-27 College Football season?. . .

- MLB - - Regardless of how his name is pronounced, Roch Cholowsky has a new title: No.1 pick — Cholowsky, the standout UCLA shortstop, was selected by the Chicago White Sox with the top overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, and was expected to sign a record-setting bonus - - While the White Sox debated between Cholowsky and Texas high school SS Grady Emerson - who was selected with the No.2 pick by the Tampa Bay Rays - they opted for a player who by next season could join their suddenly ascendant major league franchise - - Cholowsky has agreed to a contract with the Chicago White Sox that includes a record-breaking $10.35 million signing bonus after being selected with the No.1 overall pick in last weekend's amateur draft, sources confirmed to ESPN amid multiple reports, whereas the slot value for the top pick this year was $11.35 million — Cholowsky's record-setting signing bonus tops the previous mark of $9.25 million for the amateur draft that belonged to Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns and Colorado Rockies prospect Charlie Condon, two of the top three (3) selections in the 2024 MLB Draft - - Cholowsky, a 6-foot-2 SS, who turned 21 in April, hit .320 with 21 HRs, 60 RBIs, and a 1.088 OPS in 60 games this season for UCLA: **NOTE: Cholowsky played for the Bruins for three (3) seasons, batting .329 with 52 homers, 167 RBIs and a 1.072 OPS in 178 games played - as he ranks among the school's career leaders in homers, runs scored, on-base percentage and RBIs - - Meanwhile and despite losing a major-league record 121 games in 2024, the White Sox didn't pick until No.10 overall last year because of anti-tanking rules, however, they won the draft lottery in December, and the pick of Cholowsky was viewed as something of a foregone conclusion until he put up numbers below expectations in Big Ten play, with an OPS nearly 275 points lower than in non-conference games - - Regardless, Cholowsky's .320/.452/.636 line with 21 HRs and 60 RBIs followed a sophomore season in which he hit .353/.480/.710 with 23 HRs and 74 RBIs, which was plenty impressive enough for the White Sox to make him their first No.1 overall pick since Hall of Famer Harold Barnes in 1977. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Chicago White Sox selecting Roch Cholowsky with the No.1 overall pick in this year's MLB Draft?. . .2026 Home Run Derby: St. Louis Cardinals OF Jordan Walker staged a dramatic finish on Monday night, hitting six (6) consecutive HRs in the final round to stun the Phillies faithful, becoming the first player in Cardinals' franchise history to take the Derby crown: Walker hit 12 HRs in the final round to Kyle Schwarber's 11, and won it with a 407-foot blast to left field [where his parents were seated in the stands] - - The 2026 Home Run Derby made its Netflix debut on Monday night, and delivered in a big way thanks to St. Louis Cardinals slugger Jordan Walker, who completed an epic comeback on his final swing, blasting four (4) homers to spoil the hometown favorite, Schwarber, and Phillies' fans at Citizens Bank Park - - Not only did Walker become the first Cardinals player in MLB history to win the Derby, he is also the second-youngest player of all time to claim the crown (24) - - He also got to take home a cool $1 million for his efforts, while Schwarber earned $500,000 as the runner-up -- **NOTE: Interestingly, Walker's HR Derby prize of $1 million is more than his 2026 MLB salary of $799.4k - - Schwarber beat Willson Contreras in the semifinal round to advance, while Walker outlasted Junior Caminero - - Another Philadelphia hopeful, 1st baseman Bryce Harper, was eliminated in the first round when he hit only eight (8) HRs - and joined Jac Caglianone (8), Munetaka Murakami (9), and Ben Rice (7) on the sideline - - Players seemed to like the new format, however, which allowed for 20 untimed swings in the first round, 15 in the semifinals and 15 more in the final: Walker hit a total of 31 HRs, which was the same number than Kyle Schwarber, the runner-up, hit under this new Derby format. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Jordan Walker being crowned the 2026 Home Run Derby Champion, and the first St. Louis Cardinals' player ever to achieve this particular feat?. . .2026 MLB All-Star Game: In a year when MLB pitchers throwing unhittable 100 mph fastballs have generated many of baseball's headlines, the story of the 2026 MLB All-Star Game was that there are many ways to dominate the 60 feet, 6 inches between the pitcher's rubber & homeplate: Eleven (11) American League (AL) pitchers combined to allow three (3) hits and strike out 15 National League (NL) batters in a 4-0 victory Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park, the AL's fourth shutout in All-Star play - - This was arguably the most impressive team pitching performance in All-Star Game history, with the 15 K's being one short of the nine-inning record and the three (3) hits allowed tying for the second fewest - in fact, there was only one triple-digit pitch thrown the entire game for the American League - - New York Yankees teammates Cody Bellinger & Ben Rice, both left-handed batters, delivered RBIs to give the AL a quick 3-0 lead before Phillies fans could finish their Philly Cheesesteaks - which was a bit of a rarity for hometown/Philadelphia (or NL) pitcher Cristopher Sanchez, who allowed a .137 average to lefty's in the first half - - **NOTE: Bellinger earned MVP honors for his two-out, two-run single, whereas Rice followed with an RBI single, the first time since 1962 that two Yankees had an RBI in an MLB All-Star Game. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the AL's dominant pitching performance, and 4-0 shutout victory over the NL in Tuesday night's MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia?. .

- NFL - - RB Alvin Kamara will play for the New Orleans Saints in 2026 on a reworked contract, his agent confirmed to the NFL Network on Wednesday afternoon - - Kamara's restructured deal will pay him a base salary of $6 million this season with a chance to make up to $8.5 million with incentives, per Ian Rapoport - - Kamara had been set to make up to $11.5 million in base salary this season, although the Saints re-negotiated his contract for salary cap purposes in early March - in addition, $3 million of that salary became guaranteed last year - - Kamara's future was a point of speculation before the Saints signed former Jacksonville Jaguars RB, Travis Etienne Jr. to a four-year, $12 million per year contract, and questions began to circulate as to whether the Saints would be willing to retain both RBs - as Kamara addressed rumors of a potential trade last October by saying that he would not want to play anywhere but New Orleans - - Kamara's age [he turns 31 before the start of NFL training camp, which begins later this month] has been one reason for the speculation, but he also is coming off a season in which he had career lows in rushing yards (471), receiving yards (186) and total TDs (1) - and he has finished the past two seasons on the IR list. . .Q: What do you think about the New Orleans Saints' restructured deal with veteran RB Alvin Kamara? Was it a smart move for the franchise to was it time for the Saints to move on?. . .

- NBA - - "Heat's Ablazing:" Former Miami Heat teammates Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro got into a physical altercation in Las Vegas last Friday morning, during which Adebayo struck Herro in the head area, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania - - The altercation occurred at a practice court in a Las Vegas hotel, according to sources - and it reportedly started when Adebayo approached Herro about comments the guard has previously made, critiquing the center on social media after their seven-year run as teammates in Miami ended when Herro was traded to Milwaukee - - Herro was seated courtside at the Thomas & Mack Center for last Friday's Summer League game between the Heat and Bucks - and he was interviewed during the game on the Prime broadcast prior to the news of the altercation with Adebayo broke - - After Herro was traded to Milwaukee, there were screenshots shared online of an Instagram direct message with a fan in which Herro appeared to question Adebayo's defensive prowess, with many speculating that this was in reaction to Adebayo signing a three-year, $166 million extension with Miami back in June 2024 - as the alleged comments by Herro in the DM questioned whether Adebayo's effort on defense on a nightly basis was worthy of someone who makes $60 million annually - - Bucks guard Tyler Herro said he wants to "move on" from his physical altercation with former teammate Bam Adebayo last week in Vegas and is "focused on the next chapter in Milwaukee.". . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Tyler Herro-Bam Adebayo physical altercation that occurred last week shortly after the Heat-Bucks trade that sent Giannis to Miami and Herro back to his hometown of Milwaukee? - - **UPDATE: The NBA will not punish the Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo for striking former teammate Tyler Herro at a Las Vegas gym last Friday, a league spokesperson told ESPN's Shams Charania on Thursday. . .

- Miscellaneous - - 2026 FIFA World Cup Recap: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer review & analyze the semifinal round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in particular the outcome for the matches between France-Spain and Argentina-England, preview the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, discuss the viral photograph (2007) depicting the first time Lionel Messi & Lamine Yamal crossed paths, and finally, provide their individual prediction for the final match of this year's World Cup. . .UFC 329: The long-awaited return of Conor McGregor ended with a whimper as the UFC superstar injured his right leg in the opening seconds of his fight with Max Holloway and was forced to retire in the first round of their main event bout at UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena - and after which point, Holloway was awarded an underwhelming TKO victory after the welterweight fight was waved off at 1 minute & 9 seconds - - It was a stunning development in the highly anticipated rematch nearly 13 years after their first meeting, which McGregor won despite tearing his ACL - but he wouldn't be so lucky this time around - as McGregor appeared to be injured when he charged toward Holloway and landed awkwardly on his right leg after attempting a jump kick right as the fight started - as McGregor fell to his back and absorbed some ground & pound from Holloway - - The Irish fighter would make it to his feet, but fell to the canvas again moments later, favoring his right leg - and he would get to his feet again but was clearly compromised, forcing the referee to call the fight off, as Holloway said he urged the referee to stop the fight - - A disheveled McGregor immediately exited the ring, skipping his post-fight Octagon interview to discuss the nature of his injury - as he took to social media later Saturday and denied speculation he was injured prior to the onset of the fight: It was an unfortunate conclusion to the return of UFC's biggest star, as McGregor, 37, had spent five (5) years away from the Octagon, as he was recovering from a broken leg and fighting off lawsuits. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the unfortunate ending of UFC 329? How pissed/upset would be if you had paid a significant amount of money to either attend or access this fight just for this outcome?. . .

- Tradition's Finest Annual College Football Preview & Prediction Showcase: PAC-12 Conference: In this year's 'Tradition's Finest College Football Season Preview & Prediction Showcase,' JD & Spencer discuss the history of the PAC-12 Conference, analyze a full breakdown & season outlook for the league, discuss a few of the potential breakout players in the Conference - as well as to provide their individual predictions regarding a potential "dark horse" contender in the Conference and which member they predict to win the 2026-27 PAC-12 Conference title/championship. . .

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 142 - "The Breaking Barriers Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- NFL - - "T.Swift & T. Kelce Get Hitched:" On a swelteringly hot summer day in New York City, an elated coupled tied the know — The glowing bride walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of Taylor Swift's iconic "Love Story" and read emotional vows paying tribute to her husband's kind spirit - - The groom, beloved for his charismatic and happy-go-lucky personality, wore a white tuxedo and asked a friend of his to officiate the wedding ceremony: It was, by all accounts, a "traditional" wedding, save for one rather un-traditional component: The bride was none other than the 14-time Grammy Award winner, Swift, herself: On July 3, she and Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce said "I do," at Madison Square Garden before an estimated 1,000 guests, which included hundreds of A-list celebrity friends and industry tastemakers — The wedding list, in particular, ran the gamut from actors, such as Brad Pitt, Emma Stone & Tom Hanks, to NFL stars like Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski & Chiefs' teammate Patrick Mahomes, to musicians, such as Sabrina Carpenter, Miranda Lambert and members of Swift's band & Eras' Tour dancers - - And though Swift has long been known for having a close group of friends within her inner circle, she and Kelce elected to skip a customary bridal party - instead, the singer's brother Austin, 34, served as her Man of Honor, while Kelce's brother Jason, 38, served as his best man - - Actor & renowned comedian Adam Sandler, a childhood hero and recent costar of Kelce's athlete cameo in the film Happy Gilmore 2, officiated the ceremony, and Kelce & Swift, both aged 36, exchanged vows they wrote themselves (Sandler's best advice to the newlyweds?: "Keep kissing," according to Chiefs HC Andy Reid) - - As the couple prepared for their big day, so did The Big Apple, a place that's long been special to Swift, who actually owns an apartment in the Tribeca neighborhood - - Dozens of vendors and staffers were seen heading in & out of MSG in the days leading up to the wedding as they worked around the clock to prep the venue, and revamping the Garden into. .well, "a garden" was likely no small feat, according to the celebrity event designer Edward Perotti: Calling the transformations a "Herculean effort," Perotti - who has created events for A-list stars like Ariana Grande and Nick Jonas among others - estimated that the cost of renting the venue at $1 million per day, and when totaled, this placed the wedding price tag somewhere in the vicinity of $35 million to $50 million - - Shortly after the wedding ceremony, Swift's mom, Andrea, invited everyone into a reception room, where a large stage was set up for musical performances - and what a FLEX it was to be able to say that Stevie Nicks [of Fleetwood Mac] and Paul McCartney - performed at your wedding reception - - Following their three-year relationship, Kelce has not only become the pop star's husband, but her muse, as well, as much of her most recent record-shattering album, The Life of a Showgirl, was inspired by their relationship. . .Q: What is your thought on the Travis Kelce-Taylor Swift wedding at Madison Square Garden? And, despite the significant disparity in total net worth (i.e., Kelce w/ an estimated net worth of $90 to $100 million, while Swift has an estimated net worth of $2 billion), do you think Travis Kelce ever allows Taylor Swift to pay for any of their meals at restaurants? If you were in his shoes, would you allow your billionaire wife "pick up the check?". . .

- NBA - - The Sacramento Kings have waived DeMar DeRozan, the team announced on Monday, making the six-time NBA All-Star one of the top free agents on the NBA market - - DeRozan had a partial guarantee on his contract for next season, but he and Sacramento negotiated his release, allowing him to hit free agency and potentially sign with a new team - - Multiple contenders are expected to share mutual interest in the veteran guard, including the leftover suitors that eventually strike out on their current pursuit of LeBron James - - The Los Angeles Lakers, however, won't be one of them as they are not considered a potential landing spot for the Southern California native, according to multiple league sources - - DeRozan was a cap casualty for a rebuilding Kings franchise that desperately needed to trim money, as only $10 million of his $25.7 million contract for next season was fully guaranteed - - DeRozan, who will turn 37 in August, continued to prove his worth on the court this past season as one of the most reliable scorers in the league in his 17th NBA season, in which he averaged 18.4 points on nearly 50% shooting for the Kings - he also appeared in all but five (5) games, continuing a career-long trend of availability - as he appeared in at least 70 games in each of the past five (5) regular seasons. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Sacramento Kings waiving six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan on Monday? What are a few potential landing destinations for DeRozan to play in his upcoming 18th season in the league?. . .The New York Knicks have their Mitchell Robinson replacement: The reigning NBA champions have agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million contract with veteran big man Andre Drummond, according to ESPN's Shams Charania - as Drummond figures to work as the team's backup center behind starter Karl-Anthony Towns - - The deal is New York's answer to the only major departure from their championship squad, as Robinson's rebounding and interior defense were invaluable off the bench - and fortunately for Robinson, it was this package that earned him a three-year, $47.4 million payday with the Boston Celtics - - In Drummond, the Knicks get a player who is four (4) years older, but has a game fairly similar to Robinson's -- **NOTE: Drummond did make 35.6% of a career-high 90 3-point attempts last season, whereas Robinson has NEVER attempted a single 3-pointer in an NBA game - - Instead, both men make their money off crashing the boards, and Drummond - even at the age of 32 - still rebounds at an elite rate, however, he is a step behind on defense, but those are the sacrifices made when one player costs $15.8 million per year and the other costs $3.9 million - - The Knicks will be Drummond's seventh career franchise after two seasons in Philadelphia, where he backed up Joel Embiid. . ."The LeBron James Sweepstakes:" LeBron James is, by far, the biggest & most polarizing name on the free agent market, as he contemplates where he'll spend his 24th NBA season after announcing that he will not re-sign for the Los Angeles Lakers following eight (8) years in L.A. - - When James announced that he was hitting free agency, the quickly speculated short list of suitors included the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Miami Heat - two teams he's starred for in the past and one that presents him with the chance to play alongside his good friend & longtime rival, Stephen Curry - - However, James and his agent, Rich Paul, have been abundantly clear that they're willing to hear pitches from everyone around the league and that, in the right situation, a veteran minimum deal is not out of the question - - On Friday [7/3], Paul put out a new episode of his Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman, for which he revealed a list of 10 teams on a whiteboard for James' next potential destination; this list included the following teams: the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, and San Antonio Spurs - and he also outlined what he saw as the 'pros' and 'cons' of each potential destination - - All of James' free agencies have been different but carry some of the same fundamentals - as James routinely kept his circle tight and his choice private in 2010, 2014 and 2018, and successfully controlled the release of his decision — But historically, teammates, friends and business partners had a feel for what he might do based on vibes, not intel — The same seems to be taking place this offseason: Teams pitching James have reported mostly one-way communication, whereas James' recent walk down memory lane with his 2016 Cavs' teammates and spending extra time in Akron this summer have definitely contributed to the notion that he might be leaning toward a return home to Cleveland - - Naturally, teams hoping to secure James' services have noticed - - But while there is a "vibe" pointing toward the Cavs, coming off their best non-LeBron season in more than 30 years and signing Donovan Mitchell to a four-year maximum contract extension, other teams are not counting themselves out - - The Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers each believe they have a compelling case, per sources, but per ESPN's Shams Charania on Wednesday, the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat & Cleveland Cavaliers seem to be the frontrunners in the race to sign LeBron James during NBA free agency. . .Q: Which NBA franchise does LeBron James sign with in 2026 NBA free agency?. . ."Out Like I'm [mike] Lowry:" Kyle Lowry delivered on his final promise as a player: he long vowed to re-sign with the Toronto Raptors so he could retire as a member of that franchise — And on Tuesday [7/7], he made it happen: Lowry - one of 12 players in NBA history to play 20 seasons in the league - announced on social media that he is signing with the Raptors and will retire, ending his career with the team that he helped lead to the 2019 NBA championship and in the city he considers home - - It's a ceremonial one-day contract, and Lowry confirmed that plan before a scheduled news conference in Toronto later Tuesday: The date of the announcement - July 7, or 7/7 - is a clear nod to the No.7 jersey he wore with the Raptors - - Tributes immediately poured in after Lowry posted the video, many paying homage to the player whom Toronto fans call the GROAT: the greatest Raptor of all time — "This was home," Lowry said of Toronto. "Home is a feeling. It's a comfort. It's a place that you continue wanting to be there. Over and over again. It's a place where you feel like you just belong." - - The 40-year-old Lowry is a Philadelphia native who played in college for Villanova before entering the NBA in 2006 - For now, he's one of only two point guards (PG) to play 20 seasons - Chris Paul is the other, and Mike Conley Jr. will join that list this season - - Lowry ended his playing career in his actual hometown, spending this past season with the 76ers and appeared in 14 games - as he formally called it a career in the city that he considers home, Toronto, the place where he became both an All-Star and a champion - - Lowry is a six-time All-Star, with all of those appearances coming during his nine (9) years in Toronto - - He won an Olympic gold medal with the United States at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, was an All-NBA selection in 2015-16 and had a new job even before his playing days ended: he was announced last year as an analyst for Prime Video - - Lowry was the No.24 pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, and throughout his 20-year career, he also played for the Houston Rockets and Miami Heat, along with the 76ers and Raptors: he averaged 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists over 1,187 regular-season games, and his 2,209 made 3-pointers ranks 14th in NBA history - - **NOTE: Lowry reached the playoffs in 12 of those 20 seasons, averaging 13.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists in postseason play. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Kyle Lowry delivering on his final promise as a player, and retiring as a member of the Toronto Raptors? Where does Kyle Lowry stack up for you in terms of the all-time greatest point guards in NBA history?. . ."A Six-Team Trade:" The Washington Wizards are bringing back veteran Khris Middleton on a three-year, $17.6 million contract via a sign-and-trade deal, agent Mike Lindeman of Excel Sports Management told ESPN's Shams Charania - - The Dallas Mavericks are sending the 14-year veteran to the Wizards as part of a larger six-team deal that includes, in total, the Mavericks, Wizards, LA Clippers, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies: it encompasses previously agreed-upon deals involving John Collins, Gary Harris and Taurean Prince (Detroit), Isaiah Stewart (Memphis), Santi Aldama (Mavericks) and Caris LeVert (Bucks) - - As part of the elaborate six-team trade, the Wizards are sending D'Angelo Russell, a future second-round pick and a future second-round pick swap to the Memphis Grizzlies, sources told ESPN - - Middleton, 34, averaged 10.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 63 games last season - as he was traded from the Wizards to the Mavericks as part of the Anthony Davis deal before the February deadline — Middleton's 12-year tenure with the Bucks ended when he was traded to the Wizards at the 2025 deadline - he was a three-time All-Star in Milwaukee and co-starred alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo during the Bucks' run to the 2020-21 championship - - Middleton has 80 games of playoff experience and a history of increasing his production in the postseason: he has career averages of 20.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in playoff games, all of which are higher than his regular-season numbers. . Q: Who are the clear winners and losers of this six-team NBA trade?. . ."Like Sr., Like Jr:" Tim Hardaway Jr. always would follow the same routine in his 15 visits to Miami as an opponent: Walk into the arena, take a look into the rafters, gaze at one specific banner – “Hardaway 10” sways, commemorating his father's time with the Heat and the jersey they retired in Tim Hardaway Sr.'s honor. . .It's his jersey now: The Heat formally introduced part of the family Wednesday, with the 34-year-old Hardaway getting his welcome-back-to-Miami news conference - and getting handed a No.10 Heat jersey, only this one with “Jr.” after the family surname on the back - - “This is really bizarre,” said Heat president Pat Riley, who coached the elder Hardaway in Miami - - Tim Hardaway Sr. previously said he wouldn't let his retired number come back into circulation for the Heat, noting to WQAM radio in Miami last week: “My legacy is my legacy, and [my son is] doing it his way.” - - But Hardaway Jr. told the media Wednesday that things changed after some family discussions: “I think the first go-round was a personal decision,” he said of his father's initial thoughts. “The second go-round was a family decision.” - - The younger Hardaway used to run around the Heat practice floor as a kid while his day played games or hang out in the family room partaking in video games - - As Hardaway Jr. got older, Riley would ask someone on the staff to put his through workouts on the practice court - and that staffer was Erik Spoelstra, now the Heat HC. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Tim Hardaway Sr. allowing Tim Hardaway Jr. to wear his No.10 jersey as a member of the Miami Heat?. . .

- Miscellaneous - - "Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest:" Once again, Joey Chestnut reigns supreme in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest -- Chestnut, 42, devoured 66 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to take his 18th Mustard Belt title at the annual July 4 contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn - - He beat out the next closest competitor, Patrick Bertoletti, by 15 dogs - as Bertoletti finished with 51 eaten for second place, and James Webb ate 47.5 for third place - - Temperatures during the contest were 92 degrees with high humidity - but that didn't stop Chestnut from taking one hot dog and bun roughly every nine (9) seconds - - Those 66 dogs are 10 short of the record 76 Chestnut consumed in 2021 - but that was his second-highest total since then, and still plenty enough to win and take home the $10,000 first-place prize - as last year, Chestnut came close to his career high with 70.5 - - Chestnut won his second consecutive Hot Dog Eating Contest after missing the 2024 competition due to a sponsorship dispute with Major League Eating, the organization that oversees the Nathan's event and competitive eating contests around the world (Bertoletti won the 2024 contest in Chestnut's absence) - - Prior to 2024, Chestnut won eight (8) straight Nathan's Hot Dog Contests before losing to Matt Stonie in 2015 - as he proceeded to win the next eight (8) of the next nine (9) competitions - - Chestnut's run of success at Coney Island began in 2007 after defeating six-time champ Takeru Kobayashi - as Kobayashi's six (6) Mustard Belts are the next highest total after Chestnut's record, which appears unlikely to ever be beaten. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Joey Chestnut winning his 18th Mustard Belt after deleting 66 hot dogs & buns? - - In the women's competition, Miki Sudo won her 12th title and fifth consecutive pink belt - as she bested her total from last year, eating 38.5 hot dogs in 10 minutes - - Michelle Lesco, the 2021 champ, once again finished as the runner-up with 22 eaten, who barely beat out Domenica Dee, who was credited with 21.5 dogs - - **NOTE: Sudo has won the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in 12 of the past 13 years - In 2021, she did not participate due to pregnancy, opening the path for Lesco. . .Q: As strange as it may sound, is it time for us to stop pretending that Joey Chestnut is not the most successful “athlete” in professional sporting event?. . .2026 FIFA World Cup Recap: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer discuss & analyze each of the following Knockout Stage matchup(s) from over the past week; a complete list of matches discussed within this segment are listed below:

South Africa vs. Canada

Brazil vs. Japan

Germany vs. Paraguay

Netherlands vs. Morocco

Ivory Coast vs. Norway

France vs. Sweden

Mexico vs. Ecuador

England vs. Congo DR

Belgium vs. Senegal

USA vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina

Spain vs. Austria

Portugal vs. Croatia

Switzerland vs. Algeri

Australia vs. Egypt

Argentina vs. Cape Verde

Colombia vs. Ghana

Morocco vs. Canada

France vs. Paraguay

Norway vs. Brazil

Mexico vs. England

Portugal vs. Spain

USA vs. Belgium

Argentina vs. Egypt

Switzerland vs. Colombia

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 141.5 - "The un-seld, SOLD! Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- NCAA: News & Storylines - - The NCAA Division I Cabinet unanimously approved a new five-year, age-based eligibility model on Tuesday -- Under the new rule, athletes in all sports will be given five (5) years of eligibility over five (5) seasons once their college eligibility clock begins -- The clock starts upon initial full-time enrollment in college or at the beginning of the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first - - The move is meant to eliminate the need for redshirts and waivers, which have drawn scrunity in recent years as athletes have sued the NCAA challenging eligibility rules - - Athletes who just completed their fourth season of eligibility without a redshirt would not be granted an additional year, while schools will have the flexibility in determining whether to use previous eligibility rules of the new age-based model for athletes with eligibility remaining after the 2025-26 academic year. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the NCAA D-I Cabinet's unanimous approval of the new five-year age-based eligibility model on Tuesday?. . .NCAA College Football: The NCAA Division I Cabinet also voted to eliminate the bowl transition penalty, paving a pathway for North Dakota State and Sacramento State to be eligible to participate in a bowl game immediately in 2026, sources told On3 - - Previously, the NCAA had a two-year transition penalty prohibiting programs from playing in bowl games that moved and/or transitioned from the FCS to the FBS level: North Dakota State and Sacramento State will need to finish with a 6-6 record or better this upcoming season and can fulfill one of their conference's bowl commitments - - In March, the FBS Oversight Committee recommended the elimination of the two-year postseason probationary period - - Interestingly, according to preliminary reports, NDSU is projected to be favored in all 12 of its' games in 2026, which includes an eight-game Mountain West conference schedule: The Bison, who have won 10 of the last 15 FCS titles, could now realistically make a run at a College Football Playoff berth in their debut FBS season. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the NCAA D-I Cabinet voting to eliminate the bowl transition penalty?. . .NCAA College Baseball: Men's College World Series (MCWS) Review & Catch-Up: Game 1: No.5 North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Oklahoma Sooners - - Deiten Lachance hit a pair of HRs as Oklahoma continued it's offensive barrage with a 9-3 win over No.5 North Carolina in the opening game of the Men's College World Series championship best-of-three (3) series on Saturday [6/20] in Omaha, Nebraska. . .Game 2: No.5 North Carolina Tar Heels (0-1) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (1-0) - - The Tar Heels forced a winner-take-all Game 3 that would take place the following Monday after taking down the Sooners 6-2 in Game 2 of the MCWS on Sunday [6/21] afternoon - - It was a similar game to Saturday's Game 1, just with two different winners, as Oklahoma was held scoreless after the 1st inning. . .. . .Game 3: No.5 North Carolina Tar Heels (1-1) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (1-1) - - The Oklahoma Sooners, who finished the college baseball regular season in 11th place in the SEC Conference standings, captured its' third College World Series championship Monday [6/22] night, defeating the No.5-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels in a convincing 13-2 victory of the decisive Game 3 of the championship series. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Oklahoma Sooners capturing its' third national title after defeating UNC in Game 3 of the MCWS?. . .

MLB - - "Happy Bobby Bonilla Day!:"It's July 1. . .and that means it's time for New York Mets fans everywhere to wish each other a "Happy Bobby Bonilla Day!". . .Why?. . because, on Wednesday [7/1], 63-year-old Bobby Bonilla received a check for approximately $1.2 million dollars from the New York Mets organization, as he has and will every July 1 from 2011 through the year 2035. . .Q: Do you consider yourself an avid celebrator of "Bobby Bonilla Day?". . .Because of baseball's unique salary structure, Bonilla's annual payday is often more than some of the game's current young stars will make in a given year - - The Mets are certainly not alone in handing out deferred payments to star players long after they last suited up for the team, with past MVPs and Cy Young winners among the notable names still collecting annual paychecks from their previous employers - - In recent MLB offseasons, deferred money became an even bigger talking point with the Los Angeles Dodgers frequently opting for this payment structure, highlighted by a deal with superstar Shohei Ohtani that will delay payments for $680 million of his $700 million mega-deal - as he'll start receiving $68 million per year in 2034. . .Q: Will this eventually lead to the formation of a "Happy Shohei Ohtani Day?". . .So, how did Bobby Bonilla's payday and/or deferred yearly payment(s) come about?. . .In 2000, the Mets agreed to buy out the remaining $5.9 million on Bonilla's contract, however, instead of paying Bonilla the $5.9 million at the time, the Mets agreed to make annual (or "deferred") payments of nearly $1.2 million for 25 years starting July 1, 2011, including a negotiated 8% interest - - Under Mets' new owner Steve Cohen, who mentioned the possibility of celebrating Bonilla at Citi Field annually soon after taking ownership of the team, as the MLB franchise have fully embraced Bonilla's annual payday - - Bobby Bonilla last played for the Mets in 1999 and last played in the MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2001, but he will be paid through 2035 (when he'll be 72 years old) - - Oh, and that's not all, folks. . .believe it or not, but this is not Bobby Bonilla's only deferred-money MLB contract: a second deferred-contract plan with the Mets and Baltimore Orioles agreed to pay him $500,000 a year for 25 years, with those payments beginning back in the year 2004. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Bobby Bonilla's annual $1.2 million payday? If you received a payment every July 1 for the amount of $1.2 million - which is just a few days prior to the Fourth of July - would you invest a significant amount of fireworks like Spencer would if he was in that position? [**Let Us Know what you would do if you were in Bobby Bonilla's position financially: Share your answers with us via X - @TraditionFinest or Send Us an email at [email protected]!]. . .

- NFL - - "No Supplemental Draft for Sorsby:" The NFL has informed teams that it will NOT be holding a Supplemental Draft this year, meaning Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby will not be eligible to enter the NFL in 2026 - - The NFL's decision came down to its' right to decide whether to hold a supplemental draft, per the collective bargaining agreement, as league officials said they believed it would ultimately become a distraction to teams as they begin training camps - - The NFL's Management Council issued a letter to Brendan Sorsby notifying him of the league's decision, and to summarize the letter: it indicated, that, based on timing - and the league's inability to investigate the gambling issues in time - and the hope to avoid a distraction for teams prior to the 2026-27 NFL season, there would be no Supplemental Draft, and in other words, there is no other avenue available at this time for Sorsby to enter the league and/or play in the NFL for the upcoming 2026-27 regular season - - - - Sorsby's attorney, Jeffrey Kessler's reaction/response to the NFL's decision to not hold a Supplemental Draft in 2026, was: "It is a violation of the CBA and the law. We will pursue this with the NFLPA immediately.". . .Q: What are your thoughts on the NFL's decision to not hold a Supplemental Draft this year, as well as their statement to QB Brendan Sorsby?. . ."The Terrion Arnold Story:" Per the Tampa Police Department, this all started after Lions CB Terrion Arnold and several others had property stolen from an AirBnB Arnold rented in Largo (FL) in early February - - Investigators say Arnold believed some of the eventual victims were responsible, even though police later determined they were not involved in that theft - - - - On February 3, police say Arnold and Boakai Hilton, who investigators say helped coordinate the alleged setup - directed Arianna Del Valle and Jasmine Randazzo to contact one of the victims and lure him to an apartment in Tampa - - Around midnight on February 4, investigators say the victims arrived at the apartment, and once they entered the bedroom, police say Christion Williams and Lyndell Hudson, two of Arnold's associates - who had been hiding in the closet - jumped out, grabbed the victims, held them at gunpoint, and attacked them - - Investigators say the incident was streamed to Arnold, Hilton and Freddie Hughes while they were traveling to the apartment - - Police also say there was a group chat involving the defendants, and that Arnold and Hilton gave directions through that chat while the attack was happening - - About an hour later, police say Arnold arrived at the apartment with Hilton, Hughes, and another person, and that he directed them to go inside while the robbery was still going on - - Investigators say property was stolen from the victims during attack - - At around 1:40 a.m, police say the victims were escorted out of the apartment by armed suspects and forced into their vehicle before leaving the scene - - The victims later reported the incident to Tampa Police and identified the suspects - - After search warrants were executed and the investigation continued, detectives arrested multiple people in the case over the next following weeks - - Police say Arnold was the primary conspirator in the alleged robbery/kidnapping plot, as he turned himself on Wednesday [6/24] night and is now facing 4 counts of kidnapping and 4 counts of armed robbery, and is potentially facing a life sentence if convicted of all charges - - **UPDATE: The Detroit Lions have released CB Terrion Arnold after he was arrested last week on felony charges of armed robbery and kidnapping, the team announced Monday - - Arnold had his bond set at $1 million Monday by Hillsborough County (Florida) Judge Christopher Sabella, who added the following conditions: (1) he is not allowed contact with the six (6) co-defendants or the witnesses in this case. . .(2) He must surrender his passport within 48 hours. . .(3) And he was ordered confined to his residence in Tallahassee, Florida, except when he would be playing, training and traveling with the Lions or making court-related appearances or legal appointments - - The state asked the Judge to require Arnold to wear a GPS-tracking device, but his attorneys argued that he would not be able to play football with such a device - - Sabella said that although the charges are serious - four (4) counts each of kidnapping and assault that could bring a life sentence if Arnold is convicted - prosecutors are "not there yet" in showing a strong case for Arnold's guilt - - Arnold, 23, has been in custody since Wednesday night, when he turned himself in - - Per a new local report, Arnold believes that he will "sign with a new team within the next 30 days,". . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Detroit Lions organizations' decision to release CB Terrion Arnold despite him being released on bail? Did they jump the gun on this one? If so, why?. . .Three-time Pro Bowl RB Chris Johnson (aka "CJ2K"), who formerly played for the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals, revealed that he has been diagnosed with ALS - also known as "Lou Gehrig's disease" - in an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America" that aired on Monday morning - - Johnson, 39, told GMA co-anchor Michael Strahan that he was diagnosed with the disease in 2025: "There's no history of ALS in my family," said Johson, who was using a speech-generating device based on recordings of his voice to speak - - Johnson played ten seasons in the NFL with the Titans (2008-13), New York Jets (2014) and Cardinals (2015-17), as he earned the nickname "CJ2K" after he rushed for 2,006 yards in 2009, which still ranks seventh in NFL history - - **NOTE: He broke the NFL's single-season record for yards from scrimmage that season (2,509) and was named The Associated Press NFL Offensive Players of the Year - - Titans owner and former & current players around the league reached out to Johnson via social media to express their support for the former star RB, as the Jets organization and NFL Players Association (NFLPA) also released messages of support for Johnson - - ALS is a progressive disease that attacks nerve cells that control muscles throughout the body - as it became known as Lou Gehrig's disease after the star baseball player was diagnosed in 1939, and unfortunately, there is currently no known cure for the disease - - Johnson, who is taking part in a clinical trial as part of his treatment, told Strahan that he first started noticing symptoms when he had a weaker grip - - Johnson said he was going public with his ALS diagnosis to raise awareness, but also to let people know that he is the same person from his NFL career. . .Q: What are your thoughts regarding former NFL RB Chris Johnson's diagnosis being revealed on "Good Morning America" on Monday morning?. . .

- NBA - - The Portland Trail Blazers have hired Minnesota Timberwolves lead assistant Micah Nori as the franchise's new head coach, the team announced Tuesday - - Nori, who is widely regarded as one of the league's top assistants, has been in the NBA coaching ranks since 2009, as sources confirmed to ESPN that Nori's deal has just one guaranteed year, with options on the second and third year - which has drawn much speculation among other NBA coaches - - Additionally, sources told ESPN that Nori's contract features a sliding-scale salary based on incentives and team success - - Portland hired Nori after Trail Blazers GM Joe Cronin led a comprehensive search of over a dozen coaching interviews: The finalists for the job beyond Nori were Boston Celtics assistant Tyler Lashbrook and former interim coach Tiago Splitter, who was hired by the Chicago Bulls as their new HC last week - but Portland zeroed in on Mori due to his strong communication & relationship skills - - Nori has spent the past five (5) seasons in Minnesota under HC Chris Finch, a stretch that has seen the team post the fifth-best record in the NBA and included five (5) postseason appearances. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Portland Trail Blazers' hire of Minnesota Timberwolves' assistant Micah Nori as the franchise's new HC?. . .Dusty May's meteoric rise through the basketball ranks is continuing in a seismic way: Following a two-season stay at Michigan, during which May masterfully maximized the NCAA transfer portal to return the Wolverines' basketball program to prominence by winning a national title, agreed to become the new head coach of the Dallas Mavericks last Tuesday [6/23], in an axis-shifting move that significantly altered the college and NBA landscapes - - May, 49, led Michigan to a 64-13 record over two seasons in Ann Arbor, and led the Wolverines to a national title in 2026, whereas at his previous job as HC at FAU, he led them to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances, including the 2023 Final Four - - In his last four (4) seasons as a head coach in college, May went 124-46 - - **NOTE: May becomes the first college HC to take an NBA job since former Michigan HC John Beilein took the Cleveland Cavaliers job in 2019, whereas the last to leave college immediately after winning a national title, was Kansas' Larry Brown in 1988, and Florida's Billy Donovan was the most recent NCAA title-winning coach to depart for the NBA in 2015 - - The move puts May in charge of the Mavericks' next generation, which is being crafted around Cooper Flagg, the NBA's reigning Rookie of the Year after leading Dallas by scoring 21.0 points per game last season, meanwhile, the move puts Michigan in a sudden state of flux after the Wolverines' dominant run to the NCAA title - after the Wolverines appeared well-positioned to repeat - - May's departure means that Michigan's players can explore their future options, as under NCAA rules a 15-day transfer window will open five (5) days after a new HC is hired or publicly announced: **UPDATE: Michigan named former assistant Mike Boynton Jr. as its' interim HC - as Boynton brings head coaching experience from Oklahoma State and will attempt to keep a talented roster in place - a roster that includes Final Four Most Outstanding Player Elliot Cadeau, talented rising sophomore Trey McKenney and a new crop of talented transfers, that includes J.P. Estrella, Moustapha Thiam and Jalen Reed - - In Dallas, May will replace former HC Jason Kidd, as the Mavs went 205-205 in five (5) seasons under Kidd, highlighted by Dallas' runs to the 2022 Western Conference finals and 2024 NBA Finals - - League sources told ESPN's Tim MacMahon that Dallas also gauged the interest of Duke's Jon Scheyer, who coached Cooper Flagg during his lone season in college at Duke, as they searched for Kidd's replacement. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Dallas Mavericks' hire of former Michigan Wolverines coach Dusty May to become the NBA franchise's next HC? Thoughts on ESPN's report that Dallas first gauged the interest of Duke's Jon Scheyer prior to inquiring with May about the open head coaching position?. . .2026 NBA Draft Review: The 2026 NBA Draft will be remembered for its' immense star power at the top and a relative lack of early trade activity or major boneheaded decisions: While the Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls believe they each landed potential franchise players at the top of the lottery, none of the top 12 picks changed hands, and the first round unfolded without any shocking revelations - - With that said, 29 of the NBA's 30 teams made at least one selection in the first round of this year's NBA Draft: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer evaluate a few of the most notable picks of this year's NBA Draft, as well as discuss a few of the clear "winners" and "losers" of the 2026 NBA Draft. . . .The NBA Trade Market & Free Agency: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer discuss NBA free agency, elaborate on a few of the NBA's most noteworthy trades from across the league, more specifically, those listed below, discuss each trade's impact on the NBA , as well as provide their individual insight and/or thoughts on each of the following trades: [**Be Sure to Tune in for This Discussion!]

"An Awkward Saga:" The Milwaukee Giannis Antetokounmpo & Bobby Portis traded to the Miami Heat in exchange for Tyler Herro, Ke'lel Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kaspara Jakucionis, three (3) first-round picks, one pick swap and one second-round draft pick. . .

"Melo to Minnesota:" The Charlotte Hornets traded star guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reis and a series of draft picks. . .

"The Klaw is Back in Toronto:" The LA Clippers have agreed to trade All-NBA forward Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 & 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap and two second-round pick swaps. . .

"Ja, a Trail Blazer?:" The Memphis Grizzlies are trading two-time NBA All-Star Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. . .

"A Blockbuster Trade:" The Boston Celtics agreed to send former NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in blockbuster trade Wednesday in exchange for star forward Paul George in addition to two first-round picks as well as two second-round draft picks. . .

- Miscellaneous - - 2026 FIFA World Cup Catch-Up & Knockout Round Review: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer discuss the following topics relative to the 2026 FIFA World Cup: (1) a couple of the "strange" storylines surrounding this year's World Cup; (2) the Results from the World Cup's Group Stage; and (3) a comprehensive review of Round of 32 matchups from the past week's Knockout Round (**the matchups discussed are included in the list included below):

Canada vs. South Africa

Brazil vs. Japan

Paraguay vs. Germany

Morocco vs. Netherlands

Norway vs. Ivory Coast

France vs. Sweden

Mexico vs. Ecuador

England vs. Congo DR

Belgium vs. Senegal

USA vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 140 - The "Reign Man" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football: "The Saga Continues:" The Big 12 on Monday morning made it clear it did not want to be pushed around in court in the case surrounding Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby. .and it seems to have worked: Hours before sources told ESPN Monday night that Sorsby plans to enter the NFL Supplemental Draft, a decision later confirmed by a university statement, the Red Raiders' conference filed a federal lawsuit in the Northern District of Texas seeking both a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief to allow the league the authority to use its bylaws to potentially punish Sorsby, who admitted to betting on college sports - - Sorsby's and TTU's decision to “mutually part ways” should quell the conference's concerns for the time being. . .Q: What are your thoughts on QB Brendan Sorsby & Texas Tech University mutually parting ways following this media spectacle? - - The Big 12, a league won by Texas Tech last season, was chief among those critics, as Monday's move by the conference was a legal counter to a letter from Texas attorney general last week, which warned that any sanctions imposed by the Big 12 would be “unlawful” and countered by legal action, with the Texas AG, Kenneth Paxton, listed as a defendant, along with the chancellor, president and AD of Texas Tech - - This all played out in the wake of a judge granting Sorsby a temporary injunction on June 8 that essentially cleared the way for him to play for Texas Tech in 2026 - that came after Sorsby admitted that he broke NCAA rules by betting thousands of times, including 40 times on Indiana football while he was on that team's roster - - Before Sorsby's decision to leave the Red Raiders, the Big 12's presidents met Monday to discuss potential punishments with no definitive outcome - - The Big 12's federal suit included a request for an injunction to allow the league to enforce its own rules - and at the heart of this was Big 12 Bylaw 3:6, which allows the league via a supermajority vote to decide whether Texas Tech's conduct warrants sanctions: The suit sought to bar Texas Tech from “seeking to deter, coerce, prevent, or punish the Big 12 for exercising its rights under its Bylaws to sanction TTU related to its handling of the sports betting activity discussed in this Complaint, including if TTU fields a student-athlete in Big 12 competitions who has engaged in collegiate sports betting activity.” - - The measures discussed by the Big 12 executive committee last week in a call included both financial penalties to the school and penalties related to eligibility, as the Big 12's filing alludes to barring the school from the conference championship game as a potential sanction – The suit also acknowledged the near unanimity in the college athletics industry that Sorsby should not be allowed to play and mentioned bans on playing Texas Tech by the athletic departments at Georgia and Nebraska - as the suit was a highly unusual action from a conference and it came amid a volatile situation: Big 12 ADs were outspoken, both publicly and in meetings, in saying they don't want to Sorsby to play - - For the first time since 2019, the NFL supplemental draft is interesting!. . .Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby has announced his intention to enter the supplemental draft, which will be held sometime in July once the league approves his application: The supplemental draft allows all 32 teams to bid blindly against one another for the rights to a player – Any team wishing to add Sorsby must submit a bid for the round in which it would be willing to draft him, as the team that submits the most valuable bid wins the rights to the player, but its pick in that specific round is forfeited in the upcoming 2027 NFL Draft - - As such, NFL teams are now doing all of their due diligence on Sorsby: A much-larger-than-normal piece of that diligence will consider his serious sports gambling transgressions, but it's still the job of scouts and coaches to watch the tape and grade his current play and NFL potential - as league evaluators were excited to see Sorsby play another season at Texas Tech; even if he had declared for the 2026 draft, before the sports gambling was exposed, he was considered a high-ceiling prospect worthy of a solid pick. . .Q: Do you think that an NFL franchise will use their draft pick to select QB Brendan Sorsby in this year's Supplemental Draft? If so, which NFL franchise or franchises might take the risk & draft Sorsby?. . .NCAA College Baseball: Bracket #1: Men's College World Series Game #11/Semifinals: No.5 North Carolina Tar Heels (2-0) vs. No.16 West Virginia Mountaineers (1-1) - - The Tar Heels exploded for 12 runs, jumping out to a 12-1 lead and holding off No.16 West Virginia, 12-7, to advance to the championship series of the College World Series on Wednesday afternoon at Charles Schwab Field - - **NOTE: With the victory, their fifth in a row, the Tar Heels advanced to the CWS championship series for the third time and the first time in 19 seasons, joining the 2006 and 2007 squads -- They improved to 3-0 in games to send themselves to the championship finals, as the final, best-of-three (3) series for the NCAA championship will begin in Omaha on Saturday on ESPN - - **NOTE: UNC has started 3-0 in the CWS for the first time since beginning 4-0 in 2006 and is a scorching 8-1 in the 2026 NCAA Tournament - - Carolina scored eight (8) runs in the first four (4) innings to take control early and allowed only run through 6.2 innings, whereas WVU scored five (5) in the bottom of the 7th and added another in the 8th, but Caden Glauber slammed the door by striking out three (3) and allowing just one run in 2.1 innings of relief to finish the game - - **NOTE: Carolina's 12 runs were its most since scoring 13 against Pitt on May 23 in the ACC Tournament - - as the Mountaineers had allowed only a combined 10 runs in their first three (3) games in Omaha prior to Wednesday - - UNC improved to 53-12-1 with the victory and has won 17 of its last 20 games, whereas the Mountaineers saw their season come to an abrupt end at 47-17 - - Owen Hull went 4-for-5 at the plate with two doubles and two RBIs to set the tone for the Tar Heels. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the No.5 North Carolina Tar Heels advancing to the Men's College World Series best-of-three championship series?. . .. . .Bracket #2: Men's College World Series #12/Semifinals: No.3 Georgia Bulldogs (1-1) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (2-0) - - Freshman pitcher shutting down maybe the nation's most potent lineup. . .Check!. . .HRs by the record-setting handful?. . .Check!. . .Otherworldly defensive genius with the leather?. . .Check! - - Oklahoma's unlikely run at the College World Series continued on Wednesday night at Charles Schwab Field as the Sooners emphatically eliminate No.3 national seed Georgia 11-4 - - OU (41-22) hit five (5) HRs, got another startingly precocious performance on the hill and layered in plenty of fabulous defense to shut down the Bulldogs (53-14) and advance to the CWS Championship Series for the second time in a five-year stretch - as Oklahoma will play No.5 North Carolina (53-12-1) in a best-of-three (3) series starting Saturday - - Oklahoma won its eighth game in a row - and barely gave the crowd of 24,446 time to catch their breath before another Sooner smacked a ball over the fence - - But it was fellow freshman pitcher Nick Wesloski, who was up to the challenge of taking down the Bulldogs despite the lack of starting experience this season - as his only other start on the college level was two weeks ago in the Atlanta regional against The Citadel, when he threw 105 pitches over seven (7) innings and gave up five (5) runs on six (6) hits and a pair of walks - and picked up his first collegiate win - - When the red-hot OU hitters staked him to a four-run lead early, Wesloski was able to relax, settle in and find the strike zone without much trouble - - Jason Walk enjoyed his first career two-HR game, Dasan Harris had his second, and Trey Gambill homered as well, his 11th - as Walk & Harris had hit just four (4) HRs all season, but they lived beyond the wall against Georgia's pitching. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the College World Series best-of-three (3) championship series between No.5 UNC and Oklahoma? Who do you predict to win this series?. . .

- NFL - - Former NFL DL Aldon Smith has died in the Bay Area at the age of 36, the San Francisco 49ers announced and confirmed on Saturday afternoon, however, there was no cause of death given - - Smith played six (6) seasons in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys, as the Niners selected him with the No.7 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft: Once viewed as one of the NFL's top young players, Smith's star-crossed career ended in 2020 after one season with the Cowboys - - As a rookie, Smith burst on the scene with 14 sacks and 27 QB hits on his way to finishing second in Defensive Rookie of the Year balloting - - He followed with his best NFL season in 2012, posting 19.5 sacks and 29 QB hits as he earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors - as those 19.5 sacks still stand as a 49ers' franchise record for a single season - - Smith's rapid ascent to NFL stardom was slowed by a series of off-field issues that included 10 arrests in nine (9) years, as the NFL eventually suspended Smith for nine (9) games in 2014 for violation of the league's personal conduct and substance abuse policies - - Amid suspensions that kept him out of football from 2016 to 2019, Smith appeared in nine (9) games for the Oakland Raiders in 2015 and was conditionally reinstated by the NFL in May 2020: he appeared in 16 contests for the Dallas Cowboys in 2020, for which he had 3.5 sacks for the Raiders and five (5) for the Cowboys, with his last one coming against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 1, 2020 - - Smith attempted one more comeback with the Seattle Seahawks in 2021 but was arrested on a second-degree battery charge in Louisiana soon after signing with Seattle, after which point, the Seahawks waived him on Aug. 11, 2021 - - On the "I Am Athlete" podcast in 2023, Smith announced he was retiring from the game, saying "I'm done with ball." - - Smith, who was born on Sept. 25, 1989, in Kansas City, Missouri, played collegiately at Missouri - - The family of Aldon Smith has decided to send his brain to medical experts at the Boston University CTE Center to see whether chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) played a role in the former NFL DL's death - - Smith passed away on Saturday at age 36, hours after he had delivered pizzas to a homeless charity in the San Francisco Bay area - and while no cause of death has been given, Smith's family has hired attorneys to help investigate his death - - CTE is a degenerative brain disease that has been found in athletes in contact sports, combat veterans and others exposed to repetitive head trauma - as it has been know to cause violent mood swings, impulsive behavior & depression - but it can only be diagnosed after death - - According to the family, Smith suffered numerous concussions during his NFL career. . .Q: What are your thoughts on former NFL DL Aldon Smith's untimely passing? What do you think the results of Boston University's assessment of Aldon Smith's brain is going to determine: he did or did not have CTE?. . .

- MLB - - Chicago Cubs CF Pete Crow-Armstrong on Monday night became the first player in the MLB to hit for the cycle this season: Crow-Armstrong homered to lead off the game against the Colorado Rockies, then hit a triple in the 3rd inning, a double in the 5th and a single in the 7th inning - - Crow-Armstrong's first three (3) hits came off Rockies starter Michael Lorenzen, and the final one was off reliever Antonio Senzatela - - **NOTE: Crow-Armstrong is the first player to accomplish the feat since Twins CF Byron Buxton last July and the first Cubs player since teammate Carson Kelly last March - - **NOTE2: Crow-Armstrong is the 13th player in franchise history to hit for the cycle and the youngest since Randy Hundley in 1966 - - Crow-Armstrong has been hot lately, collecting 13 hits in his past six (6) games, including the four (4) Monday - - Of those 13, eight (8) have gone for extra bases - as his OPS rose to .845 after his cycle -- The Cubs erased a 4-3 deficit in the 9th inning as Matt Shaw scored the game-winning run on a bases-loaded walk, as it was Chicago's ninth walk-off win, the most in the majors - with no other team having more than six (6) walk-off victories - - However, the Cubs have been struggling to consistently win for well over a month, and lost a series to Colorado last week, as their last three (3) wins at Wrigley Field have all been walk-offs - - This was the second time in three (3) games that Crow-Armstrong had a chance at a cycle after singling, doubling and homering Saturday against the San Francisco Giants: **NOTE: He became the fourth player in the divisional era (since 1969) to complete the cycle in reverse order: HR, triple, double and single. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Chicago Cubs CF Pete Crow-Armstrong batting performance on Monday night against the Colorado Rockies, becoming the first player in the majors to hit for the cycle this season?. . .

- NBA - - 2026 NBA Playoffs Review: NBA Finals: New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs [NYK leads series 3-1] - Game 5: Jalen Brunson and the "Comeback Knicks" did it again. .And now, they're the "Champion Knicks." - - For the first time in 53 years, New York rules the NBA: Brunson scored 45 points, including 13 straight for New York in the 4th QTR, and the Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night - - The Knicks won the series 4-1, rallying from double-digit deficits in all four (4) of those victories, as the deficit was 16 on Saturday night, but Brunson and the Knicks were never fazed - - **NOTE: Brunson set a Knicks record for points in a finals game: it had been 38 by Willis Reed against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the 1970 series - but now it belongs to the left-handed PG who changed the franchise's fortunes when he arrived four (4) years ago - - Knicks coach Mike Brown, who was hired a year ago - making him the franchise's 24th coach since the franchise's last championship in 1973, said of his team winning the championship "It's surreal." - - Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart - the other two parts of the "Nova Knicks" trip that also includes Brunson, three (3) players who were NCAA champions at Villanova and teamed up in New York to try to do the same - combined to score 27 points, as Bridges had 14, Hart 13 - - New York got to the brink of this title by rallying from 29 points down in Game 4 to win 107-106 on OG Anunoby's tip-in with 1.2 seconds left on Wednesday night, as it was the largest comeback in NBA Finals history and the biggest comeback in any game this season, regular season or playoffs - and by comparison, then, a 16-point raly in this one seemed relatively simple, whereas San Antonio had to shuffle off into the offseason following their Game 5 collapse - - Rookie Dylan Harper scored 25 for the Spurs, who got 19 points, 14 rebounds & five (5) blocked shots from Victor Wembanyama - as the Knicks improved to 4-0 in closeout opportunities this season, winning them all on the road, but it didn't feel like the road, though - not with thousands of New York faithful having made the trip to Texas to witness a moment 53 years in the making - - And back home, on the streets of the Big Apple, celebrations broke out everywhere: Jubilant Knicks fans flooded the streets of New York on Saturday night, crowding into intersections and climbing light poles and buses as they celebrated the team's first NBA championship in over 50 years - but the celebration turned chaotic as the night wore on, with five (5) school buses set ablaze in Times Square, five (5) police cars damaged on Sixth Avenue and a 17-year-old boy shot in the foot near the heart of the festivities - - A total of 63 people were arrested overnight in connection with the Knicks game, the NYPD said, as charges include assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration, police said - - Police also reported four (4) stabbings overnight. . .Q: How many more championships do you think the NYPD are prepared for in New York City? What are your thoughts on the New York Knicks becoming the 2026 NBA Champions after a 53-year drought? - - "Bing Bong, No Respect:" It seems the oddsmakers didn't learn their lesson after underestimating the New York Knicks throughout their NBA championship run: **NOTE: The Knicks entered the NBA playoffs with the eighth-shortest offs (+2200) to win the title - and even after they steamrolled their way through the East, they were heavily doubted against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals, with oddsmakers giving +180 odds to end their 53-year NBA championship drought. .The disrespect continues: Entering next season, the Knicks have the fourth-shortest odds to repeat as NBA champions, trailing the San Antonio Spurs (+250), Oklahoma City Thunder (+250) and Boston Celtics (+550) - as the odds are shocking since the Knicks handily beat the Celtics and Spurs in the last two playoffs and are expected to return with the same roster next year. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the 2026-27 NBA titles odds as the Knicks will enter the season with the fourth-highest chance to win next year's title?. . .Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden was arrested early Saturday morning in Houston and has been charged with a misdemeanor unlawful carrying of a weapon - - According to Harris County court records, Harden was taken into custody at 3:41 a.m. when a handgun was observed on the seat of a car he owns: The gun was not holstered and was in plain view, according to the records - Harden was booked at 4:57 a.m. and later released after paying a $100 bond, and his arraignment is scheduled for June 22 - - Harden is potentially going to be a free agent at the end of the month, as he had a $42 million player option decision he must make by June 29, but only $13.3 million is guaranteed - - It has been expected that Harden would opt out of the contract and sign a new multiyear deal to remain in Cleveland, where he was traded in February, as he helped lead the Cavaliers reach the Eastern Conference Finals. . .Q: What do you make of Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden's arrest in Houston early Saturday morning? Will his arrest have any type of negative effect on his upcoming contract negotiations with Cleveland?. . ."Master Splitter:" The Chicago Bulls are finalizing the hiring of Portland Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter as the franchise's new head coach, sources told ESPN on Monday - - Splitter succeeds Billy Donovan as the Bulls' HC after stepping into the head coach job in Portland last season and excelling: Splitter, 41, guided the Trail Blazers to a 42-40 record and a postseason berth as the No.7 seed in the Western Conference amid adversity stemming from Chauncey Billups' federal charges - - **NOTE: Splitter became the first Trail Blazers head coach to have a winning record in his first season with the team since Maurice Cheeks in 2001-02 and the first to win a playoff game in his debut season in Portland since Mike Dunleavy in 1997-98 - - Splitter led the Trail Blazers to a top-10 defense in their final 51 regular-season games, with a 30-21 record during that span, as Portland also led the NBA in second-chance points per game under Splitter last season - - The Bulls conducted a search that spanned a double-digit number of candidates before narrowing the process: they landed on Splitter due to his ability to lead the team's player development, organizational alignment on the franchise's direction & vision, and his leadership and knowledge base as a coach who has risen through the ranks since 2018 and played in the NBA for seven (7) years with one championship with the San Antonio Spurs - - Splitter played overseas before the Spurs choses him with the No.28 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft - - He played in San Antonio, Atlanta and Philadelphia across his NBA career - - After retiring, Splitter joined the Brooklyn Nets as a scout and player development staff member in 2018, whereas he spent the 2023-24 season as an assistant for the Houston Rockets under Ime Udoka, and then he took a job as HC of Paris Basketball for the 2024-25 EuroLeague campaign before returning of the NBA as Billups' lead assistant in Portland, as the Trail Blazers will now have to hire a new coach after Splitter, one of their finalists, has accepted the Chicago job: Nori and Boston Celtics assistant Tyler Lashbrook are the two candidates remaining to become the new Portland head coach. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Chicago Bulls' hire of Portland Trail Blazers' interim coach Tiago Splitter as the franchise's new HC?. . .

- Miscellaneous - - 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Final [CAR leads series 3-2] - Game 6: Vegas Golden Knights vs. Carolina Hurricanes - - Carolina spent the first part of the Stanley Cup Final surviving, finding ways to overcome deficits and play a high-scoring game that didn't fit the Hurricanes' typical style - but when it came down to doing what it takes to win the Cup, the Hurricanes' defense put its stamp on this series, shutting down the Vegas Golden Knights and not letting up: The Hurricanes held Vegas to five (5) total goals in Games 4 and 5 and used a suffocating defense in a 3-0 shutout in Sunday night's clinching Game 6 to win their first NHL championship in 20 years - - Jordan Staal was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for most valuable player in the Stanley Cup playoffs, becoming the oldest player to ever win the award at the ripe age of 37 - - Brandon Bussi, whose entrance late into Game 3 helped turn around the series for Carolina, recorded his first career playoff shutout in stopping 22 shots, while Jackson Blake had a goal & assist, Taylor Hall scored just 3:47 into the game to set the tone, and Nikolaj Ehlers added an empty-net goal - - The Golden Knights, who made an unlikely run just to reach the final, struggled badly to muster in any kind of offense in Game 6 and went 18:37 between shots on goal in the second and third periods - - **NOTE: This was the first time that the Golden Knights have been shut out, after playing in their third Cup final - - This clinching game was what many observers expected the series to be like between the defensive-minded teams, but each side watched leads of two-plus goals disappear in the first three (3) games - - Now, the Cup belongs to the Hurricanes, led by coach Rod Brind'Amour, who also captained Carolina to its 2006 title. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Carolina Hurricanes winning their first NHL championship in 20 years? - - **UPDATE: John Tortorella, who guided the Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final, will not return as head coach next season, the team announced Tuesday, less than 48 hours after losing the final series, 4-2, to the Carolina Hurricanes - - Tortorella, who was a surprise hire when he was brought in with eight (8) games remaining in the NHL regular season, after the Golden Knights had fired Bruce Cassidy, who had one year remaining on his contract, while the team was in playoff position - - Tortorella's deal with the Golden Knights was only through June 30, the end of the league calendar - - Tortorella, who went 21-8-1 with Vegas (including playoffs), indicated that he would like to coach next season, sources told ESPN. . .Q: What was your immediate response to the news that Vegas Golden Knights coach John Tortorella would not be returning for the NHL franchise following their Stanley Cup Final run this season?. . .2026 FIFA World Cup Recap: That's 24 games featuring 48 teams in the books - Or, as FIFA would put it: the biggest first matchday ever, at the biggest World Cup ever - - And despite FIFA's best efforts, the opening slate of matches was about as good as it gets, as we had hosts showing up, favorites falling off, players speaking out, stars stepping up, puppies pooping on platforms, and much, much more! - - Of course, soccer is more random than any of the major American sports: favorites win way less often, as there are barely any shots, let alone goals - but regardless, the World Cup occurs only once every four (4) years, so we decided to discuss a few of the most notable games of the Group stage from the first week of action; In this particular segment, JD & Spencer discuss the following World Cup matches from the opening week of the Group stage:

Thursday, June 11th:

Group A: Mexico vs. South Africa

Friday, June 12th:

Group D: United States vs. Paraguay

Group E: Germany vs. Curacao

Monday, June 15th:

Group H: Spain vs. Cape Verde

Group I: France vs. Senegal

Group J: Argentina vs. Algeria

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 139 - The "oster-Tag, you're it!" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- NCAA: News & Storylines - - Women's College World Series (WCWS) Finals: Game 2: No.2 Texas Longhorns vs. No.11 Texas Tech Red Raiders - - Teagan Kavan struck out five (5) in the final two innings to back a strong start from Citlaly Gutierrez, and Kayden Henry homered to lead Texas to a 4-1 victory over Texas Tech last Thursday night at the Women's College World Series (WCWS) for a second straight national championship - - Kavan earned the Most Outstanding Player award after becoming the first pitcher with two shutout & two saves in one WCWS - - Henry homered off Red Raiders ace NiJaree Canady - in what was her final game at the collegiate level - to begin the 7th inning and Leighann Goode singled to drive in the final run - - Meanwhile, Texas Tech did put up a fight, as the Red Raiders jumped in front in the 3rd inning on an RBI single by Lauren Allred, as Canady retired 11 in a row after Henry singled to begin the game before disaster struck in the 5th - - Kaiah Altmeyer and Ashton Maloney led off with singles before Logan Halleman made a leaping catch in left field with one out to save at least one run, and Canady walked slugger Katie Stewart to load the bases and appeared to escape the jam before Toney's error - - Halleman also robbed Altmeyer of an extra-base with a runner on 1st base in the 6th to keep the score at 2-1 - - Gutierrez (11-3) allowed one run on three (3) hits in 4 1/3 innings, while freshman Hannah Davis got two outs in the 5th inning prior to Gutierrez re-entering the game with the bases loaded to get the final out - - Kavan fanned Mihyi Davis to wrap up her fifth save of the season, whereas Canady (29-7) went the distance, allowing just four (4) runs - two earned - on eight (8) hits with three (3) walks - - **NOTE: Coach Mike White led Texas to the program's second title in his eighth season, meanwhile, second-year Texas Tech coach Gerry Glasco has led the Red Raiders to their only two, but consecutive nonetheless, WCWS appearances: Texas Tech fell 7-3 in this year's WCWS finals series opener the prior Wednesday. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Texas Longhorns earning back-to-back WCWS national championships under HC Mike White?. . .NCAA College Football: The West Virginia Mountaineers are set to honor a college football legend this upcoming fall: On Friday, the program announced plans to retire Pat White's No.5 jersey at a home game that will be determined later this summer - - White, who played at WVU from 2004-08, is widely considered to be the greatest football player in program history and one of the most electric players in college football's modern era - - White is also currently on the Mountaineers' coaching staff, serving as the assistant QBs coach and assistant to the head coach, Rich Rodriguez, whom he played for throughout his playing career in Morgantown - - White finished his West Virginia career with more than 6,000 passing yards and 4,480 rushing yards, and he recorded 103 total TDs in his three (3) seasons with the Mountaineers: A three-time First Team All-Big East selection & two-time Big East Offensive Player of the Year, White led WVU to its' best season in program history in 2007, as the Mountaineers were ranked as high as No.2 in the BCS rankings and were just one win away from a guaranteed spot in the BCS National Championship Game, and now, White - originally from Daphne, Alabama - is being immortalized in Morgantown for the legend that he is - - There is but one caveat, here. . .Q: Did West Virginia miss an ideal opportunity to retire White's running mate - and arguably the best RB in Mountaineers' program history - Steve Slaton's No.10 jersey? What are your thoughts on West Virginia's announcement that the program will retire former star QB Pat White's No.5 jersey this summer?. . ."A Disgusting Day for the NCAA:" A judge in district court in Lubbock County, Texas, has granted the temporary injunction requested by Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby, and in result, he is now eligible to play for the Red Raiders next season, according to the temporary injunction filed against the NCAA, granted Monday morning by visiting District Court Judge (*and Texas Tech alum) Ken Curry - - The NCAA had earlier ruled Sorsby ineligible, after he acknowledged that he gambled on sports, which included placing approximately 9,000+ bets estimated at a value of $90,000, some of which were placed on Indiana University, while Sorsby was on the program's football team as a redshirt (RS) freshman - - The request was approved after Sorsby completed a 35-day gambling rehabilitation program in late May - - Judge Curry ruled in Sorsby's favor, stating that the transfer QB "has demonstrated [that] he will suffer a probable, imminent, or irreparable injury," if the court did not grant and/or issue his request for a temporary injunction, primarily because he would not be eligible to play for the Red Raiders throughout the 2026 college football season - - The injunction is effective immediately and will remain in effect until a final judgment is signed or until there is another order on behalf of the court: The order states that the NCAA may not prevent Brendan Sorsby from practicing, playing or otherwise participating on the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team in 2026, however, Judge Curry couldn't allow Sorsby to obtain a "Get Out of Jail-" free card, so he decided to proverbially slap him on the wrist by granting his attorney's penalty that was suggested at the initial hearing: Sorsby is barred from playing and/or participating in game day activities for the program's first two games of the 2026-27 season, which includes a home game versus Abilene Christian on September 5th and a trip to Corvallis in Week 2 to face off against Oregon State on September 12th - - Background: According to court documents filed by the NCAA, Sorsby placed thousands of sports bets from 2022 to 2026 while at Indiana, Cincinnati & Texas Tech - as the NCAA's filing states that Sorsby placed bets on college sports, including on Indiana football, for which he attended, as well as bets on the performance of his teammates - - The NCAA says that Sorsby later moved to other people's accounts and apps to place bets, including after his transfer to Texas Tech, where online sports betting is illegal under Texas law — Defense attorney Jeffrey Kessler said at the June 1 hearing that the temporary injunction should be granted because the NCAA failed to uphold its' reinstatement process, as he cited the NCAA Constitution & bylaws, including Article 1 Section D, which states ' student-athlete well-being is designed to protect their physical and mental health,' while the NCAA's representative/attorney Taylor Askew rejected Kessler's claims that the NCAA does not care about the mental health of student-athletes, as their legal team described this as a "Hail Mary" attempt to be reinstated - - Askew said even if Sorsby would have placed just one singular bet on Indiana football back in 2022, he would still be in violation, and he also said that Sorsby should've never been allowed to transfer from Cincinnati to Texas Tech because he was already breaking the NCAA's "cardinal rule," - - A few days ago, prior to Judge Ken Curry's ruling, the NCAA rejected Texas Tech's appeal to reinstate Sorsby, however, this particular action was separate from Sorsby's lawsuit filed against the NCAA - - **UPDATE: A trial date has been set for Sorsby's injunction against the NCAA, and according to ESPN, the trial is set to take place on Feb. 8 in the 99th District Court in Lubbock County, Texas, the same court that granted Sorsby a temporary injunction on Monday - with the scheduled date being two weeks after the 2026-27 College Football Playoff National Championship Game - meaning Sorsby seems likely to play the entire season without at least intervention from the courts - - Reactions to the Ruling: The judge's decision to rule QB Brendan Sorsby eligible on Monday morning roiled college sports, with reactions ranging from doomsday predictions to informal chatter about Big 12 schools attempting to not play the Red Raiders this upcoming season: The reaction around college sports was nearly unanimous, with the idea of Sorsby playing in 2026 after admitting to placing thousands of bets on sports - including 40 of which were placed on his own team/program - representing the latest crossroads for an industry that has faced a dizzying number of them in recent years — Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormak released the following statement Monday afternoon following the ruling: "The ramifications of today's ruling are significant and could have broad impacts across college athletics, creating great concern amongst our membership. I've been consulting with our key stakeholders and have scheduled a meeting with our Conference ADs and our Executive Board this week. We are also in touch with [NCAA President] Charlie Baker and anticipate the NCAA to appeal the order in the next 24-48 hours. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation." - - ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips told ESPN the ruling represents a "horrendous pattern," that is "eroding the integrity of our process." - - A Big 12 AD told ESPN that they were "disgusted" by the ruling and added "We officially lost our soul." - - TCU HC Sonny Dykes inquired with ESPN as to "How is anyone ever going to trust the outcome of a game again?" - - Nebraska AD Troy Dannen told ESPN that his school's teams are, similar to what has been reported for Big Ten programs, not allowed to schedule the Red Raiders for any type of sports contest - - University of Florida AD Scott Stricklin told ESPN that he was "stunned," by the ruling, even comparing it to the MLB's 1919 'Black Sox scandal,' when eight (8) professional baseball players from the Chicago White Sox took bribes to lose the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the district court judge out of Lubbock County (TX) granting Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby's request for a temporary injunction against the NCAA, allowing him to become eligible for the 2026-27 college football season? Thoughts on the two-game suspension penalty imposed? Is there a legitimate possibility that, because of this particular ruling, that the NCAA forbids its' collegiate programs and/or universities from playing or participating in games/contests against Texas Tech athletics (i.e, football, softball, baseball, etc.)?. . .

- NFL - - Da "Indiana Bears:" The Chicago Bears announced last Friday that their board of directors has voted to advance their stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, with a specific site to be determined, and thus, pushing the franchise closer to leaving the state it's called home for more than 100 years - - Hammond is roughly 25 miles from the Bears' current home, Soldier Field, and sits just next to the Indiana/Illinois border, as a departure from the state itself and a move to a state that already has an NFL team, the Indianapolis Colts, is a development that's somehow stunning yet surprising - - Friday's news dropped after the Illinois House adjourned on the last day of the state's spring legislative session last week without taking up a measure that would have cleared the way for Arlington Heights and Chicago to create local stadium authorities, creating a pathway for the Bears to avoid paying property taxes on a new stadium in the state of Illinois - - The Bears said at the time that they were finalizing their evaluation of possible stadium sites in Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana - - The twists & turns during the final days of Illinois' spring legislative session were consistent with what has been a laborious stadium process for the Bears, a charter NFL franchise - - Amid lingering efforts to secure tax incentives in Illinois, along with as much as $855 million in public money for infrastructure at the Arlington Heights site, in May 2025, the Bears began to take a closer look at possible options in Northwest Indiana - - More recently, the Bears said on May 21 that Hammond and Arlington Heights were the only sites under consideration, but some Illinois state lawmakers kept pushing for a plan that they hoped would make Chicago part of the conversation once again - - **NOTE: The Bears have played their home games in the state of Illinois since the team's founding in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys - - Since moving to Chicago in 1921, the Bears have never owned their stadium, whether playing at Wrigley Field from 1921 to 1970 or Soldier Field since. . .Q: What do you think about the possibility of the Chicago Bears, a historic NFL franchise, possibly relocating to Hammond, Indiana, thus becoming the "Indiana Bears?". . .

- NBA - - 2025-26 NBA Playoffs Recap: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer discuss, review & provide a detailed analysis on each of the NBA Finals games from the previous week; this includes the following games as listed below:

Game 2: San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks   [NYK leads series 1-0]

Game 3: San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks   [NYK leads series 2-0]

Game 4: San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks   [NYK leads series 2-1]

- Miscellaneous - - 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Final: Vegas Golden Knights vs. Carolina Hurricanes [VGK leads series 1-0] – Game 2: The 2026 Stanley Cup Finals has been marked by wild swings, so it's probably appropriate that the two teams, the Vegas Golden Knights & Carolina Hurricanes, have split the first two games in Carolina, but if history is a guide, the winner of the following Saturday's Game 3 would have an enormous edge, but this series has been, if anything, unpredictable: **NOTE: NHL teams that took a 2-1 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final went on to win 46 of 57 times (or 80.7% of the time) - - Mini-Recap: The Hurricanes couldn't have gotten off to a better start in the series opener, as Nikolaj Ehlers scored just 25 seconds into the game and soon afterwards, he added a second goal to take a 2-0 lead early - but unfortunately for Carolina, the Golden Knights rallied with three (3) consecutive goals to begin a back-and-forth finish, as Vegas ultimately won Game 1, 5-4, as Tomas Hertl scored with 3:24 remaining off a sensational backhand pass from Colton Sissons - - Back in Game 2, the Golden Knights appeared to take full control of the series, taking a 2-0 lead deep into the third period - but Carolina scored three (3) goals beginning with 9:40 left before Mark Stone forced OT with a six-on-five goal with 1:21 remaining - but it was Seth Jarvis' power-play goal 3:56 into OT that gave the Hurricanes a 4-3 victory and evened the series at 1-1. . .2026 NHL Stanley Cup Final: Vegas Golden Knights vs. Carolina Hurricanes [Series tied 1-1] – Game 3: What was largely expected to be a high-checking, low-scoring championship round has been wide open at times, with each team capitalizing on the other's mistakes: **NOTE: The teams have combined to score 25 goals, the highest total through three (3) games in the Stanley Cup Final since the New York Islanders and the Minnesota North Stars had 30 in 1981- - There have been blown leads of at least two such goals in each game, as Vegas rallied from such a deficit in Game 1 and Carolina did it in Game 2 - - Then came the real doozy in Saturday night's Game 3 when the Golden Knights led 4-0 well into the third period before the Hurricanes scored three (3) goals in a record 39 seconds, as Carolina eventually forced OT, but the Golden Knights won it in double OT when Shea Theodore bounced a puck off the boards that caromed off goalie Brandon Bussi's skate - - Bussi, who hadn't played in two months, entered in the third period after coach Rod Brind'Amour had seen enough of Frederik Andersen - and the Golden Knights couldn't figure out Bussi until that final wacky shot - - After Vegas took a 2-1 series lead, there was plenty at stake for Game 4: Should the Golden Knights have won and took a 3-1 series lead, they would have been almost an unbeatable position: **NOTE: Teams with such an advantage (i.e., leading a series 3-1) in the Stanley Cup Final are 38-1, with the one defeat occurring 84 years ago when Detroit lost a 3-0 lead and fell to Toronto - - On the other hand, a Carolina victory would not only have evened the best-of-seven (7) series, but the Hurricanes would have regained home-ice advantage with potentially two of the three (3) remaining games scheduled to occur in Carolina. . .2026 NHL Stanley Cup Final: Vegas Golden Knights vs. Carolina Hurricanes [VGK leads series 2-1] – Game 4: Another two-goal lead went the way of the landline on Tuesday night, the go-ahead shot came from a 37-year-old player on his stomach on one of the great runs in Stanley Cup Finals history, and the winning goalie made his first start in two months and doesn't know if that will be his last one this postseason: None of it makes sense and yet it all somehow does in this series that is now even at 2-2 through four (4) games - probably aptly so - because of Jordan Staal's second goal at 6:32 of the third period that come while sprawled on the ice in what became a 5-3 Hurricanes victory over the Golden Knights - - Next, the series would head back to Carolina for Game 5 the following Thursday night, where the Hurricanes would have two games on home ice to win their first Cup in two decades, for which their coach, Rod Brind'Amour, captained that team - - The same applies at the other end, where the 9-year-old Golden Knights chase their second championship in four (4) years - - Whichever team loses the series can point to a number of costly mistakes and moments that could have drastically changed the outcome of the series, as each game - until Game 4 - was decided by just one goal — A two-goal lead has disappeared in all four (4) games in what has been a remarkable series in which momentum often changes at a moment's notice - as each team has led by at least that many twice - - **NOTE: Through the first four (4) games, the 33 combined goals are tied for the third highest in a Cup final with the Islanders-Flyers' series in 1980 - - **NOTE2: Jordan Staal became the first player in 44 years to score at least one goal in each of the first four (4) games of the Stanley Cup Final and the ninth overall, as Mike Bossy in 1982 with the New York Islanders against the Vancouver Canucks, was the last player to score in the first four (4) games of a final - - Brandon Bussi started in place of Frederick Andersen in goal for the Hurricanes and made 18 saves, and including his work in relief in Game 2, Bussi has 36 saves on 40 shots - - Mark Stone, William Karlsson, and Brett Howden scored goals for the Golden Knights, and Carter Hart made 23 saves, but the Hurricanes came out blazing in Game 4, taking a 3-1 lead in the first period, and while Vegas nearly cut it to one, but Brayden McNabb's goal came right after the period ended, and thus, didn't count. . .Q: While neither of us are "Hockey Bros," we are both fans, and have respect for anyone who will toss their gloves, mask & hockey stick, and throw a punch, we like that shit, but what are your thoughts on the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals through the first four games?. . .2026 FIFA World Cup/Soccer: The 2026 FIFA World Cup has finally arrived and the opening match of competition was set to get under way on Thursday (6/11), as Mexico hosted South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, in the first of a total of 104 matches at this expanded World Cup in what is also, a repeat of the 2018 curtain raiser - There was also the first of three opening ceremonies that took place in the Mexican capital on Thursday, and in the early hours of the morning UK time on Saturday, the United States will get their World Cup campaign up & running in Los Angeles, as Maurice Pochettino's team hosts Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium and in the third and final opening ceremony, where Katy Perry is the headline act - - Per major sportsbooks such as DraftKings and FanDuel, Spain (+450) and France (+475) enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the consensus tournament favorites, with the outright champion odds for the top contenders being highlighted by a tiered field (listed below). . .Q: Which nation(s) do you think have the best overall shot at winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup?. . .

Spain (+450)

France (+475)

England (+650 to +700)

Portugal (+800)

Brazil (+800 to +950)

Argentina (the reigning World Cup champions; +800 to +1000)

Germany (+1400)

Netherlands (+2000)

United States (+5000)

Japan (+5000)

Mexico (+6000 to +6600)

Canada (+17500)